Friday, November 14, 2008 City forms tuberculosis council By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno expressed his support to tuberculosis (TB) patients here through the creation of the Local Tuberculosis Council (LTC) of Angeles City through Executive Order (EO) 26, series of 2008.
A simple ceremony was held during the creation of the council at a restaurant in Barangay Balibago here on November 11.
During the event, the Angeles City Coalition Against Tuberculosis (AngCiCat) was also formed.
The coalition was organized to address the growing concerns of the city regarding the prevalence of TB through case finding, provision of support activities to patients and their families by way of medical, financial, educational, counseling and other scheme allowed by law.
Tuazon said one of the priorities of the local government is preventive health care. She said the City Health Office is encouraging private partners to assist in the implementation of various programs on health.
"It is important for the public to know that TB is curable and many patients refuse to consult a doctor because of the stigma attached to the disease," said Tuazon.
Recent study and surveys revealed that TB is prevalent in urban localities, particularly in slum areas.
TB is found to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country and the rest of the world.
Data shows that there are 131 new TB cases for every 100,000 population in the Philippines. It is also the 6th cause of illness and death in the country.
