DOH is calling for urgent action as TB cases surge in the PH

Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa issued a warning on Thursday, March 14, regarding the alarming increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases in the Philippines.

As of December 31, 2023, the latest data from the DOH revealed 612,534 new and relapse TB cases reported, with a case notification rate (CNR) of 549 cases per 100,000 population, significantly surpassing the CNR reported in 2022.

Despite concerted efforts to combat TB, Secretary Herbosa emphasized that the numbers persistently rise. Approximately 86 percent of reported cases underwent testing using rapid diagnostic tools, underscoring the extensive scope of the issue.

The absence of comprehensive data on TB-related fatalities further complicates the situation. In the reporting year 2023 alone, 10,426 cases with “died” outcomes were documented, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced data collection and analysis.

In response, Herbosa outlined proactive measures akin to those deployed during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as active case finding methodologies. By intensifying detection and treatment efforts, the DOH aims to curtail the spread of TB and save lives.

While the 2023 data is preliminary, Herbosa stressed the ongoing importance of surveillance and data collection to gain deeper insights into and effectively address the TB epidemic in the Philippines.

News: DOH is calling for urgent action as TB cases surge in the PH