By CHRISTINA I. HERMOSO
DAVAO CITY — The Department of Health (DoH) has reminded patients afflicted with tuberculosis (TB) to complete their drug therapy and treatment, which ranges from six to twelve months to avoid the risk of multi-drug resistant infection.
This infection is more difficult and much more expensive to cure, the DoH informed thousands of Filipinos afflicted with the disease.
TB has been consistently a big killer in the country, especially among poor workers and peasants and even among exploited child laborers all over the Philippines.
DoH Region 11 Director Paulyn Jane Ubial said "the public must be informed and educated on the importance of completing the Directly Observed Treatment Short— course (DOTS) therapy which is highly effective against TB.
DOTS also helps prevent new infections, stops resistance to anti-TB drugs and is cost effective."
Ubial said "TB patients must not stop from taking their medicines and seeing their doctors even if they start to feel better. Total elimination of the TB bacillus takes a minimum of six months to accomplish."
The DOTS therapy which is a combination of 3 to 4 anti-TB drugs is available in rural health units, city health centers and government hospitals nationwide.
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