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T.B. Treatment Program - Medical Care |
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We have recently commenced a comprehensive TB screening and treatment
program in one of the worst slums that we work in, Pier 4. We have
identified the children that are most at risk of contracting this
deadly condition … and as funds allow we are placing hem on
this LIFE SAVING program. The cost per child is $65.00 US …
this includes – the initial testing process, treatment of any
other medical conditions … improved nutrition and of course
if found positive for the TB bacteria … monitored medications
for the following 6 months.
• The
Philippines ranks fifth highest in the world in estimated TB cases
and has the second highest number in the Western Pacific region, second
only to China.
• Sixty-eight
Filipinos die every day from TB.
Alarming facts and figures
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Poor
Filipinos are even more susceptible to the air-borne disease because
they often live in crowded living quarters and suffer from poor diet
and nutrition
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The
TB bacilli, which infect the lungs, are often spread by the coughing
and sneezing of an infected person.
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One
TB case can potentially infect 20 persons per year if untreated
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If incompletely treated, the
TB bacillus can mutate into a multi-drug resistant strain requiring
more powerful, more toxic and more expensive medicines to cure the
patient.
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Testing for tuberculosis is
by the tuberculin skin test, which is usually a Mantoux test.
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After being placed on a child's
forearm, the tuberculin skin test should be read 48-72 hours later
personal. Interpretation depends not only on the type of reaction
after the test, but also the child's risk of having tuberculosis.
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IT’S
A LONG PROCESS …
First the scratch test was given
Then after three days we returned all the children to the doctor for
the test site to be checked
Those children that tested positive had to have their parents and
siblings tested
Then the medications were prescribed |
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What we do 
