YESTERDAY, March 24, World Tuberculosis or TB Day was commemorated. According to the World Health Organization, this is conducted "to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic." It was in March 24, 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB which led to the diagnosis and cure for the disease.
TB is caused by a bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis which can be passed to another person through tiny droplets by coughing or sneezing. This infection affects the lungs and can lead to death if not cured right away. Dr. Lawrence Domingo writes that "active TB can occur in the first few weeks after infection with the bacteria. Signs and symptoms of active TB include cough, phlegm with blood, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, afternoon fever, night sweats, chills, and loss of appetite."
He further warns that "each person with active TB can spread the disease to 10 other people. The treatment course for TB is 6-9 months of continuous TB medicines. Once active TB is treated, the person is no longer contagious after three weeks. An estimated 80 percent of Filipinos have latent TB. This means that Filipinos have TB infection, but is still in an inactive state. That is why they have no symptoms and are not contagious to other people."
Statistics reveal that TB is still one of the world's deadliest illnesses with nearly 4000 mortalities and 28,000 infected persons each day. This is why global efforts to stop the spread of this illness have been made and since 2000, 63 million persons have been saved from TB. According to the WHO, the Philippines is 9th worldwide amongst 196 countries that have a high burden of TB.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “The Clock is Ticking” which relates the message that every second count in the continuing battle to prevent more people from acquiring this deadly illness most especially now that we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In line with the World TB Day, the Sophia School, Inc. in Meycauayan City launched the video version of the book titled “Tibay ng Dibdib” which was created through the unwavering support of the United States Agency for International Development and the University Research Company through the partnership with the Department of Health.
It tells the story of a Filipino family living in the packed city setting where the two children who are both girls acquire Drug-Resistant TB (DSTB) and Drug-Sensitive TB (DSTB). The story shows how one can contract TB and how it can be cured for free in any government facility or hospital. It is aptly relevant in our context as we battle this health crisis. Tuberculosis, while it remains one of the world’s deadliest killers, can be cured and also prevented. The story gives us much inspiration that, even in the midst of uncertainties, we must not lose heart and strength so that we will be able to face and bring a cure to this disease.