Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle...rculosis-daily


63 Pinoys die of tuberculosis daily
By Mayen Jaymalin, The Philippine Star
Posted at 03/15/2014 8:47 AM | Updated as of 03/15/2014 8:48 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Sixty-three Filipinos die every day due to tuberculosis (TB) despite the government?s massive campaign against the spread of the deadly infection, the Department of Health (DOH) bared yesterday.

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said TB prevalence in the country has declined in the last 21 years, but many TB patients nationwide die daily due to failure to seek medical treatment.

He said the latest DOH data showed that 712 Filipinos get afflicted with TB every day, but only 632 seek treatment.

?Of those who were able to seek medical treatment, only 577 are able to complete the six-month medication. For this reason, 63 Filipinos still die daily due to TB,? Tayag explained.

This, despite the DOH spending P1,000 per month for free medicines given to every TB patient who avail of the government?s Directly Observed Therapy-Short Course (DOTS) strategy...