DOH-6 Leads TB Prevention Drive in Iloilo Town

By Mariela Angella Oladive

More than 300 residents of Mina, Iloilo, received free medical services from the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development on March 24 in observance of World Tuberculosis Day.

Beneficiaries availed themselves of chest X-rays, HIV screening, mental health assessments, PhilPen risk assessments, medical consultations, and maintenance medicines.

Medical experts Dr. Ellamas Divinagracia, Dr. Analyn Jumeras, and Dr. Ma. Cecilia Momville addressed health concerns and discussed tuberculosis prevention and treatment.

This year’s World TB Day theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” calls for stronger efforts at the local, national, and international levels to eliminate the disease.

The campaign also highlights the growing threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis, which remains a major public health concern.

Tuberculosis is a contagious airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs.

It spreads when individuals with active TB cough, sneeze, or spit, and others inhale even a small number of bacteria.

Dr. Bea Nataralay, regional TB coordinator of DOH WV CHD, emphasized the importance of working together to fight TB.

“The fight against TB starts with you; it starts with us,” Nataralay said.

“Let’s work together for a TB-free Mina and a TB-free Philippines.”

Key officials in attendance included Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon and Dr. Rodney Labis of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Mina Mayor Lydia Grabato, Dr. Janeatte Sobrevega, Mina municipal health officer, and Sylvia Caldera, Mina RHU TB nurse.

The event was supported by the Philippine College of Chest Physicians-Iloilo Chapter, led by Dr. Lorelei Sirilan, and the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases-Western Visayas Chapter.