THE City Health Office (CHO) has reported a rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases in Davao City, with 8,601 cases recorded in 2024 — an increase from 8,212 in 2023.
Dr. Nikita Marie Jamiana-Reyes, the city’s national TB program medical coordinator, reported a rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases during the ISpeak media forum on March 20, 2025, at the City Mayor’s Office.
In 2024, Talomo South had the highest number of TB cases (505), followed by Buhangin (463) and Bunawan (459).
In 2023, Talomo South was still the highest with 462 cases, while Buhangin reported 453 and Agdao 435.
“The incidence rate has increased significantly ang trend natin naga-increase siya na naga (The incidence rate has increased significantly—the trend continues to rise),” she said.
Most TB patients belong to the working-class population, aged 18 to 40, while pediatric cases remain rare. The city’s TB treatment success rate improved from 89.5 percent in 2022 (4,292 treated cases) to 90.5 percent in 2023 (5,026 treated cases).
Reyes said they are closely monitoring TB patients to assess whether they have fully recovered or require further treatment.
Free TB services
The City Health Office (CHO) offers free TB testing, with machines processing up to 16 samples daily, though some handle only four to eight.
For drug-susceptible TB, multiple regimens are available, while drug-resistant TB patients can now undergo a six-month oral treatment, eliminating daily injections. All 18 TB DOTS facilities provide medication, reducing the need for hospital visits.
Children under 15 are tested for HIV, while those over 25 are screened for diabetes due to TB’s impact on immunity. Reyes urged the public to avail of CHO’s free services, as private treatment costs range from P700,000 to P1 million.
What is TB?
According to the WHO, tuberculosis (TB) is 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. RGP