"Tuberculosis is still among the leading causes of death and everybody must know the prevention and right cure of this dreaded disease," said Gov. Erlfe Amante, who led the launching of the program at the provincial capitol here.

Governor Amante, together with the government and private physicians and other health officials who attended the program, said they are trying to make sure that patients go through with their medication, and that is why patients must have a treatment partner.

Health officials also said this system will ensure that TB patients religiously take their medicines.

Anti-TB medicines are provided by government at health centers and accredited facilities for free as the country aims to eradicate TB cases.