MANILA: Prison and health authorities have unveiled a joint initiative to tackle the incidence of tuberculosis among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the Philippines. The effort, named the TB Free Generation Campaign, is a collaborative project between the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Department of Health (DOH) and was announced in conjunction with National Custodial Consciousness Week.
According to Philippines News Agency, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. emphasized the agency’s proactive stance, focusing on early detection and intervention to counter tuberculosis in correctional facilities. He highlighted the challenges of inmate congestion and vulnerability, which exacerbate the spread of the disease. The program includes regular TB screenings aimed at safeguarding the health of both inmates and staff within the prison system.
Currently, 165 inmates at the New Bilibid Prison are undergoing TB treatment, with an additional 139 having completed their treatment this year. Catap
ang expressed gratitude to the DOH for its steadfast support of BuCor’s healthcare initiatives.
The initiative also collaborates with key stakeholders, including the Muntinlupa City Health Office, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Metro Manila Center for Health Development, and the MVP Corporate Social Responsibility group. BuCor highlighted that this joint effort demonstrates the critical role of partnerships in tackling public health issues.
Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the urgency of addressing tuberculosis in the Philippines. The country has the highest incidence of TB cases in the Western Pacific Region, placing it among the top five nations with a high prevalence of the disease, alongside China, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam. The Philippines faces a complex challenge in managing TB within its population.