150 inmates screened for TB diagnosis

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – One hundred fifty inmates were screened for signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) during the Lung Month Celebration-Active Case Finding in Jail spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Rosanna Buccahan in cooperation with the Department of Health Regional Office 3 (DOH-RO3) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) held at the Bataan District Jail last Aug. 22-26.

“Ito ay under sa aming TB Control Program kung saan merong tinatawag na active case finding, kasama dito ang mga persons na mataas ang chance na magka-TB, lalo na ang mga nakatira sa kulob o magkakatabi katulad sa jail,” said Ms. Sarah Villaruel, TB nurse coordinator of PHO.

Tuberculosis is one of the major lung diseases. It remains epidemic in much of the world. In 1978, August was declared as the National Lung Month. It aims to focus the public’s attention on the pulmonary system and its illnesses.

In the National TB Control Program, persons with known high incidence of TB, particularly those in closed environments or living in congregate settings are included in the active case finding.  During the five-day program, sputum samples from inmates were collected and underwent Direct Sputum Smear Microscopy (DSSM) and Gene Xpert (GX) Testing.

“Sa 150, yung na-DSSM namin ay 122 na inmates, ito yung mga new cases na tinatawag, ibig sabihin may sintomas sila ng TB like inuubo o nilagnat. Yung sa remaining 28, meron na silang history o nagamot na sila dati, so sila yung pina-Gene Xpert Test namin,” Villaruel pointed out.

The 118 inmates who were found to be DSSM negative were examined through Chest X-rays.  Out of the 150 inmates who were screened for TB diagnosis, there were 10 patients who were identified as TB positive: two patients during the DSSM examination, three during the Chest X- ray and five on the Gene Xpert Testing.

On the last day of the activity, lecture on basic facts about TB was conducted by Ms. Villaruel, Tobacco-Free Awareness by Ms. Catherine Pelaez and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 101 by Ms. Fatima Tumlos. Apart from Ms. Villaruel, Ms. Esmeralda Sales, TB Med-Tech Coordinator, also served as key- point person during activity.

Three inmates who were cured from TB also shared their experiences during their treatment. PHO’s objectives in conducting the active case finding in jail were as follows: to influence the public and non-health institutions and individuals and TB patients to participate in TB control and prevention activities; to make sure that inmates (high-risk population) have access to TB diagnosis and treatment; to influence other healthcare facilities staff to prepare and improve their present capacities to meet demands in providing TB services to the public sector; and to influence non-health stakeholders to participate in TB control programs.

Nurses, midwives and medical technologists coming from the rural health units in the 11 municipalities and 1 city of the province also participated in the five-day event.

Photos courtesy of Jemuel Bornolia