A lawmaker on Thursday called on Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to ensure tuberculosis (TB) cases in Tondo and other densely populated areas in the City of Manila remain manageable, following concerns about the disease’s potential spread due to recent disasters.
Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Metro Manila Development, cited the need for swift action by the Department of Health (DOH) and other government agencies to prevent any escalation of TB cases.
“I trust Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and the DOH Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (TB DOTS) program will swiftly and properly stem any sudden spikes in tuberculosis in Tondo and other densely populated areas in the City of Manila,” Valeriano said in a statement.
He attributed the recent TB cases to the aftermath of fires and flooding that displaced residents, forcing many to seek shelter in crowded evacuation centers.
“Any current and recent incidence of TB in Tondo is probably the aftermath of recent fires and flooding that forced residents to flee to evacuation centers, causing TB to spread,” Valeriano said.
He said tuberculosis is curable, highlighting the importance of the TB DOTS program in addressing the disease.
He urged the DOH to ensure the availability of TB treatment and called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to play a coordinating role in relief efforts.
“Responsibility is with the DOH to make the DOH prophylaxis or treatment regimen fully available and for DSWD to facilitate and coordinate,” he said. “I trust DOH and DSWD will take it from here and do what they must ASAP.”
House Deputy Majority Leader, Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, earlier raised concerns over rising TB cases after it was reported that 1,280 individuals were diagnosed with the disease in Manila.
Citing logistical challenges, Herbosa said in March that the shortage of anti-TB medicines in the country was due to distribution issues.
According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 of the World Health Organization (WHO), released in October, TB returned as the world’s leading infectious disease killer in 2023.
The WHO report said the Philippines remains among the top eight countries with the highest TB cases. (PNA)