MANILA, Philippines – Around 30 percent of some 450,000 Filipinos with tuberculosis do not get treatment, primarily for fear of stigma associated with the disease.
According to Dr. Thelma Tupasi, head of the Tropical Disease Foundation, around one-third percent of TB patients do not avail of the medicine even if they are offered for free in some health clinics.
These patients, she said, prefer to self-medicate or not do anything at all, exposing themselves to complications.
Tupasi warned that TB patients who do not complete treatment are in danger of developing multi-drug resistant TB, the treatment of which is more expensive and prolonged.
Dr. Michael Voniatis, medical officer of the World Health Organization (WHO), noted that “cultural barriers including the fear of stigma” prevent TB patients from seeking treatment.
But Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, director of the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, claimed that this should not be the case because TB is curable if patients would only undergo proper and adequate treatment.
Oliveros added that TB patients should not be complacent because TB could lead to various complications and even death in severe cases.
The Philippines ranked 22nd among the countries burdened with TB, down from its previous standing at 7th and 9th place.
The prevalence rate is pegged at 500 per 100,000.
The country observed World TB Day yesterday with calls from health officials not to be guided by misconceptions about the illness.–Sheila Crisostomo, Philippine Star
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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