By Bhaby De Castro June 14, 2020 BATANGAS CITY, June - United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its TB Platforms P...
June 14, 2020
BATANGAS CITY, June - United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its TB Platforms Project shared their technical assistance to Batangas Province in helping local government units to strengthen TB response amid COVID 19.
Dr. Karen Dalawangbayan, Field Operations Area Manager for Region 4-A of USAID's TB Platforms discussed during her interview in 95.9 Radyo Totoo how the project supports local chief executives, TB councils and communities in the continuous provision of TB services during the pandemic.
She cited they provided remote mentoring and monitoring as well as guidance in infection prevention and control for both TB and COVID-19.
Prior to the pandemic, the project works with the Provincial Health Office in providing sustainable TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment. USAID also provided a comprehensive technical assessment of the post- Taal eruption and helped the LGUs affected in attending to TB patients who were displaced by the volcanic eruption.
The project will continue to support the DOH National Tuberculosis Program in finding and treating Filipinos with TB up to the Year 2022.
TB patients are of greater risks to be infected by the coronavirus and the project is working with government institutions to educate enlisted patients to continue medication at home using the advance supply of TB medicines provided by DOH.
“It is best to consult a healthcare worker assigned in the nearest barangay health center especially during the community quarantine if they have questions regarding TB”, noted Dalawangbayan.
Moving forward, USAID's TB Platforms will work with PIA Calabarzon in the promotion of educational materials for TB and COVID19 and social behavior change strategies to reduce the stigma of both killer diseases. (BHABY P. DE CASTRO-PIA Batangas with reports from USAID)
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