More than 3,000 residents received free x-ray from the Caloocan City Government as it boosts it anti-tuberculosis campaign.
The Caloocan City Health Department (CHD) led the said activity through its mobile clinic, health workers from CHD visited different barangays to conduct the said free medical service in observance of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day which is celebrated every 24th of March.
Aside from this, CHD held a TB awareness session for city residents, TB patients, health center staff, and barangay employees.
According to City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, the city’s mobile clinic continuously travels all over Caloocan to provide the residents with free chest x-ray, he also stated that this program plays a big part in ensuring a healthy and tuberculosis-free community.
Likewise, he gave directive to barangay chairpersons to encourage the community to seek help from the CHD or nearest health center if they exhibit signs and symptoms of tuberculosis.
“Tuloy-tuloy po ang pag-iikot ng ating mobile clinic sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng ating lungsod upang maghandog ng libreng chest x-ray sa ating mga residente, ang programang ito’y malaking bahagi ng pangangalaga sa kalusugan ng ating komunidad,” the Mayor said.
“Kasabay nito, nagbigay po tayo ng direktiba sa lahat ng mga punong barangay na hikayatin ang mga residente ng kani-kanilang barangay na sumangguni sa CHD o sa pinakamalapit na health center sakaling ang mga ito ay may tuberculosis o sintomas nito,” Mayor Along added.
Moreover, CHD Officer-in-charge Dr. Evelyn Cuevas reported that in 3,052 residents screened, 336 from them were experiencing symptoms while 312 took the genexpert test to determine whether they are infected.
Additionally, Dr. Cuevas also mentioned that they continue to provide free chest x-ray, free consultation as well as treatment for the residents, and that the city government will strive to eradicate tuberculosis and other communicable diseases in Caloocan.
“Nakahanda po ang ating tanggapan na tumulong sa ating mga mamamayan, sa katunayan, sa kabuuang 3,052 residenteng ating sinuri, napagalaman po natin na 336 sa kanila ay hinihinalang nakararanas ng mga sintomas, samantala 312 naman ang sumailalim sa genexpert test upang malaman po natin kung sila ay may tuberculosis,” Dr. Cuevas said.
Kahit po tapos na ang March patuloy po tayong maghahatid ng libreng chest x-ray. Bibigyan din po natin ng libreng konsultasyon ang ating mga kababayan, at kung sila ay magpositibo sa sakit na ito, mayroon tayong libreng gamutan. Katuwang niyo po ang ating pamalaang lungsod upang ang tuberculosis at iba pang karamdaman ay matuldukan,” she added.