MANILA — Former Health Secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin has urged the public to take extra precautions following the diagnosis of 1,280 tuberculosis (TB) cases among residents in Tondo, Manila.
The warning came after Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF) revealed alarming figures, indicating a significant TB prevalence in the area.
“This is alarming. The government must take action against the increasing number of tuberculosis cases in the country,” Garin emphasized.
The Iloilo First District Representative noted similar observations in Iloilo during the Bantay Kalusugan medical mission she spearheaded.
Expressing concern over the lack of accessible TB medicines in public healthcare facilities, Garin called for a better system to ensure adequate medication supply.
“Nakakabahala na kulang ang gamot para sa ganitong uri ng sakit. Tamang distribution at maaayos na sistema sa pagbibigay ng gamot ang kailangan upang matiyak na makakakuha ng sapat na gamot ang mga Pilipino,” Garin stressed, highlighting that TB is both preventable and curable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 10.8 million individuals worldwide contracted TB in 2023. The disease, caused by bacteria primarily affecting the lungs, spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or spit.
In the Philippines, data from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) showed an estimated TB incidence of 741,000 in 2021, with around 61,000 deaths attributed to the disease. Garin’s statement underscores the urgency for government intervention and public awareness to combat TB effectively.
