By Jay B. Laurino Governor Helen Tan leads the launch of the Tuberculosis-Free Barangay Initiative in Barangay Alibihaban on Alibijaban Isla...
 |
| Governor Helen Tan leads the launch of the Tuberculosis-Free Barangay Initiative in Barangay Alibihaban on Alibijaban Island, the first barangay-level TB elimination campaign in the province. (Quezon PIO) |
SAN ANDRES, Quezon — A province-wide recent campaign to eliminate tuberculosis and ensure that every barangay detects and treats TB cases has begun in Quezon Province. Governor Angelina formally launched the Tuberculosis-Free Barangay Initiative in Barangay Alibihaban on Alibijaban Island as part of the provincial government’s expanded effort to fight the disease in local communities.
The initiative aims to strengthen efforts to find and treat tuberculosis early through expanded screening, treatment services, and information campaigns for residents conducted by health workers. The campaign prioritizes remote and hard-to-reach communities where access to healthcare services often remains limited.
Tan said the initiative is anchored on a law she authored known as the Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act, which strengthens government efforts against the disease. The provincial government is implementing the law through its health campaign called “Tuberculosis Alisin Natin.”
“Gumawa ako ng batas, ang Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act, kaya mayroon tayong programang ‘Tuberculosis Alisin Natin,’” Tan said during the launch of the program. “Mataas ang pangarap natin kaya ngayong taon nagsisimula na tayong umikot sa mga barangay upang masigurado na ang bawat isa ay walang TB.”
Tan said provincial health teams will conduct screening in barangays to identify residents who may have tuberculosis. Patients who test positive will receive complete treatment and regular checkups from health workers until they finish the prescribed medication.
“Kung may makita tayong may tuberculosis, gagamutin natin siya hanggang makapagtapos ng gamutan at tuluyang gumaling,” Tan said in her speech. “Kapag natapos ang gamutan at clear na siya, ibig sabihin wala na ang sakit.”
The Tuberculosis-Free Barangay Initiative is considered the first program in Quezon Province to focus on eliminating tuberculosis at the barangay level. The campaign also represents the first coordinated tuberculosis elimination effort launched across CALABARZON.
The campaign seeks to ensure that every barangay in the province actively identifies and treats tuberculosis cases through community health programs. The effort also aims to prevent the disease from spreading further in communities by ensuring that patients complete their treatment.
Tan said launching the program on Alibijaban Island highlights the provincial government’s commitment to bringing health services to geographically isolated communities. The island barangay lies off the coast of San Andres, Quezon in the southeastern portion of the province.
The governor also noted that she pushed for the tuberculosis elimination measure when she was serving as a member of the House of Representatives. The measure aimed to strengthen government action in addressing tuberculosis cases across the country.
The program forms part of the continuing partnership between the Quezon provincial government and the Department of Health to improve healthcare services. The collaboration also seeks to reduce tuberculosis cases in communities across the province.
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs and spreads through the air when infected people cough or sneeze. The Philippines remains among the countries with the highest number of tuberculosis cases in the world, making early testing and full treatment very important.
Residents were reminded that tuberculosis screening and treatment services under the program remain free of charge. The provincial government encouraged the public to participate in testing and complete treatment to help stop the spread of the disease.
No comments