The Manila City government has beefed up its anti-tuberculosis program to effectively curb and prevent the spread of the disease to attain a tuberculosis-free community with the launch of “Project Heal, Healthy and Active Lungs” at the Ama Dome, Baseco Compound in Tondo.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said the project is a continuing TB awareness campaign to remind the public of the importance of consulting with doctors on how to have healthy lungs.
Addressing more than 1,000 participants of the project launch, Estrada said tuberculosis is curable with the advances made in the medical treatment and the city government through the Manila Health Department, which has been implementing health programs for the eradication of TB.
“We brought the program here in Baseco to remind all of you the importance of lung check-up,” Dr. Benjami Yson, MHD chief, said.
Estrada expressed confidence that TB patients will be cured and free from the disease by taking regular treatment.
“The MHD is committed to ensure health for one and all in the city of Manila that is why they launched the ‘Healthy and Active Lungs’ project,” the mayor said.
Citing a report from the MHD, Estrada said in 2017 the city health department cured around 5,930 TB patients, or about 90 percent of all TB cases in the city.
“TB is easy to treat and cure,” the mayor said. “We have medicines that are given out for free at the MHD.”
Estrada advised the public on the importance of consulting with doctors to prevent and stop TB, adding prevention is the best cure to prevent any illness.
A resident only must go to a Health Center, and once given the prescribed medicines, the patient should take the medicines without any break for effective recovery from the disease, Estrada added.
The mayor reiterated that the project was meant to create awareness among people on the preventive steps that will help them from being sick of tuberculosis.
He asked the people to cooperate with the MHD personnel and advised the patients to follow the medical advises to keep them healthy.
The disease can be diagnosed early then the steps can be taken so that it will not spread to others and deaths can be prevented, the mayor added.