Free TB testing, treatment for QC students

MANILA, Philippines–Around 23,000 children in Quezon City between the ages of three and four will be tested for tuberculosis under a worldwide program aimed at eradicating the disease by 2015.

The “End TB” program, which is a partnership between the city government and the Rotary International (RI) group, will see students of the city’s 289 daycare centers being screened for the disease free of charge. Should any of them test positive, they will also receive free treatment.

In a forum held last week by the Philippine College of Physicians, Quezon City Anti-Tuberculosis program head Rochelle Paulino said that TB was one of the most common diseases among the city’s three million residents.

“It’s the sixth cause of morbidity in Quezon City. The health department and the local government have long had programs for it but the problem is that logistics are limited when it comes to children,” she added.

RI District 3780 “End TB” project coordinator Baby Allado said that they were expecting around 6,000 to test positive for the disease.