Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) today revealed that 13 children out of 300 were tested positive with tuberculosis (TB) during the tuberculin skin testing conducted in selected municipalities of MIMAROPA Region namely Marinduque, Romblon and Oriental Mindoro during the 2016 Lung Month Celebration.
“We have targeted children who were recipients of the “Oplan Kain Sigla” feeding program of the region to find out what other health reasons have contributed to their malnourishment”, Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.
“The regional office has already provided the necessary assistance to these children and are now undergoing treatment. We will be monitoring their health and progress until they are fit and healthy and free from TB”, he assured.
There were 9 TB positive children identified during TST in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; 3 in Torrijos, Marinduque and 1 in San Andres, Romblon.
According to the 2015 Operation Timbang, among the identified areas with high prevalence of undernutrition was recorded in the municipalities of Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro; Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro; San Andres in Romblon; Sofronio Espanola in Palawan and Torrijos in Marinduque.
There were 211 beneficiaries of the Oplan Kain Sigla Program in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; 212 beneficiaries in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro; 144 in Sofronio Espanola, Palawan; 299 in San Andres, Romblon and 250 in Torrijos, Marinduque.
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobeacterium tuberculosis, acquired through inhalation of droplets containing tubercle bacilli. It is the sixth leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country and claims 75 to 90 lives daily.
TB symptoms includes cough, loss of weight and energy, poor appetite, fever, and night sweats.
The Lung Month Celebration is celebrated yearly to raise awareness and detect TB disease through TST administration among children.
Other activities conducted during the event includes health screening, promotion and information dissemination regarding TB disease.