Tuberculosis (TB) is the sixth leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines; the country is ninth out of the 22 highest TB-burden countries in the world and has one of the highest burdens of multidrug-resistant TB. Directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) strategy for TB control commenced in 1996 and nationwide coverage was achieved in 2003.
|
The country aims to further improve access to diagnostic and treatment services, especially for highly vulnerable groups in the provinces with high TB burden, while sustaining high cure and treatment success rates. Efforts will be directed at improving diagnostic capabilities in DOTS facilities and hospitals, addressing barriers to follow-up examinations for patients under treatment as well as the factors that promote treatment default and improving the referral system to reduce transfer-outs.
|
Source: Department of Health