Tuberculosis in PH ‘alarming’ as cases hit 612,000 in 2023 —DOH

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday raised concern about the tuberculosis infection in the Philippines as the new and relapse cases reached a total of 612,534 last year.

In a press conference, Herbosa reported that in 2023, the country recorded 549 tuberculosis cases per 100,000 population, which was higher than the case notification rate of 439 cases per 100,000 population in 2022.

“For a period of five years, we’ve actually identified about 2.1 million cases—short of our target of 2.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, our new cases numbered 612,534,” he said.

Herbosa also said 10,426 people with tuberculosis reportedly died, citing data from the Integrated Tuberculosis Information System. He, however, clarified that not all of them died due to the infectious disease.

The Health chief also acknowledged that tuberculosis is not only a health issue in the country, but a socioeconomic problem as it affects the more marginalized populations in low-resource settings.

With this, he said he aims to end tuberculosis in the Philippines by 2030, but since the disease is endemic in the country, he wants to focus more on having 100% of those that have tuberculosis to be diagnosed.

The second goal, he added, is to have 99% of those diagnosed to get the ample medication. He also emphasized the need for prevention of the disease once the vaccines come out by 2028, or by treating all family members exposed in a household.

“My target is not eliminating TB because that’s impossible during my term up to 2028 but I’m going to make sure that every person with pulmonary TB gets the medicine and does not die from tuberculosis,” Herbosa said.

Last year, Herbosa said he is eyeing to have the Philippines removed from the top 10 list of countries with the highest number of tuberculosis cases by the end of his term.

He said that among the reasons why there is a high number of tuberculosis cases in the country is the logistics and supply chain management, where the medicines are not being delivered promptly to the health centers and clinics.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis is a contagious disease which often affects the lungs and is spread through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or spit.

Common symptoms of tuberculosis include prolonged cough, chest pain, fatigue, fever, and weight loss.—AOL, GMA Integrated News