The City Health Office (CHO) has called on Dabawenyos to take advantage of free chest X-ray service at the NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza Activity Area on March 24.
The initiative, to be held in observance of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, is part of the city’s efforts to combat the spread of TB in Davao City and promote early detection and treatment.
Dr. Nikita Marie Jamiana-Reyes, TB Program Medical Coordinator of the CHO, emphasized the importance of early screening, noting that TB is curable, especially if it is detected and treated promptly.
Reyes, during the I-Speak media forum on Thursday, revealed the rise in TB cases in Davao City.
Data from the CHO showed that in 2024, Davao City recorded 8,601 cases, a slight increase from the 8,212 cases documented in 2023.
She presented data showing that Talomo South reported the highest number of cases in both years, with 505 cases in 2024 and 462 in 2023. Buhangin followed with 463 cases in 2024 and 453 in 2023. Bunawan recorded 459 in 2024 while Agdao recorded 435 in 2023.
Reyes said that most TB patients belong to the working-class population whose ages are 18 to 40.
To address this, TB DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) centers across the city continue to provide free screening and treatment.
“Right now, we have 12 expert sites in Davao City, distributed among the [TB] DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) centers nga pwede natong ma pa test ang atoang patients, for free ni siya (so we can still test our patients for free),” she said.
“And for treatment, we have free medicines anywhere you go in Davao City nga (that is) DOTS facility, this is free,” she added.
The city has also seen an improvement in its TB treatment success rate, rising from 89.5 percent in 2022 to 90.5 percent in 2023. The CHO ensures recovery effectiveness by closely monitoring TB patients and their progress. CIO
