THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said they document about 40 tuberculosis (TB) cases monthly.
Dr. Nikko Lou Araneta, Department of Internal Medicine of SPMC, said that although they cater to about 30 to 40 cases of TB at the hospital, they have high cure success rates through medication.
Araneta added that the most prevalent reason for the accelerated and ceaseless spread of TB is the unawareness and the usual practice of Filipinos of going to the doctor only when the illness gravitates.
"They tend to claim 'unya nalang ni, unya na lang mag pa check up.' Diha pa sila muduol sa amoa ug natakdan na sila’g TB. Dili gyud sila magpa-checkup kay wala silay idea at all. Most of them are from far-flung areas, nga dili gyud nato ma-reach (They tend to say, 'I'll just do it later, I'll just get checked later.' It is only when they come to us that they've already contracted TB. They really don't get checked because they have no idea at all. Most of them are from far-flung areas, which we really can't reach)," he said.
He also mentioned that apart from having close contact with an infected individual, living in a poorly ventilated and densely built home can also give a sweeping exposure to the disease since it can easily be transmitted.
TB, he said, can be passed on through droplets and can be easily carried away through the air as it is a small bacteria.
"If you're not sure if you have tuberculosis or not, or you have any respiratory infection symptoms, wear a facemask, do not go near your family, and get yourself checked so we can treat you accordingly," Araneta said.
The youngest recorded case of TB infection at SPMC is a 19-year-old. However, the majority of cases occur in individuals aged 30 and above.
In Davao City, the City Health Office (CHO) reported a rise in TB cases, with 8,601 recorded in 2024 — an increase from 8,212 in 2023.
In 2024, Talomo South had the highest number of TB cases (505), followed by Buhangin (463) and Bunawan (459).
The World Health Organization described tuberculosis (TB) as a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through airborne droplets. Preventable and curable, TB was a leading cause of death until Covid-19 surpassed it three years ago.
Symptoms include a persistent cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Trisha Mae Anore, DOrSU Intern with reports from RGP