THE Department of Health-Cordillera and the Baguio Health Department shall be partner-leaders in commemorating World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 as to the agencies' calendar of activities.
In a letter, Director Myrna Cabotaje of the Center for Health Development DoH-CAR, invites interested individuals to a symposium focused on tuberculosis (TB) from 2 to 4PM, March 23 at People's Park, Malcolm Square. Experiences and information as to TB shall be shared, as well as interaction be conducted during the activity, she said.
Accordingly, TB is a communicable disease caused by the tubercle bacillus and found in the tissues of the body, but commonly in the respiratory tract. The illness may spread through the lymph or blood vessels and may be characterized by fever, night sweats and weight loss.
Cabotaje mentioned in her letter of the need to build public awareness about TB as a worldwide epidemic since there are still lots of misconceptions about the illness.
As a result, "people with symptoms do not seek immediate medical consultation for proper treatment. If they indeed have TB, they continue to spread the disease," she lamented.
She however emphasized that though individuals are vulnerable, the disease is curable.
As to the BHD anti-TB campaign, it is envisioned that with continued campaign and commitment of support, it shall be totally eliminated globally by 2050.
The theme for this year's TB day is "TB kahit sino, kahit saan.Tutok Gamutan (DOTS) lang yan!"
March 24 was then the day when the TB bacillus was presented by Dr. Robert Koch to a group of doctors in Berlin in 1882. (Julie Fianza)
