Cavite LCEs join USAPANG DIBDIBAN, 1st Webinar on TB response

Carmona Mayor Roy Loyola is one of the 17 local chief executives (LCEs) that participated in the online discussion on TB response thru USAPANG DIBDIBAN: the 1st Webinar for local government officials in Cavite sponsored by USAID Philippines. (Photo from Diwata Paredes of USAID TB Platforms Project)

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite May 16 (PIA) -- About 17 local chief executives (LCEs) of the province's cities and municipalities participated in the first ever online discussion on TB response in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.

The webinar dubbed as "USAPANG DIBDIBAN" was sponsored by USAID Philippines through its TB Platforms Project with Chief Party facilitator USAID's TB Platforms for Sustainable Detection Care and Treatment Project Head, Dr. Marianne Calnan together with Region IV-A Field Operations Area Manager, Dr. Karen Dalawangbayan which tackled the role of the local government units in responding to tuberculosis, the world's number 1 killer disease, in the midst of the ongoing health emergency crisis.

According to statistics, 70 Filipinos die of TB every day and TB patients are of higher risk to get infected of COVID-19 especially the senior citizens, pregnant women and children. TB centers are now being used as COVID-19 Centers and doctors and nurses are being pulled out to join the COVID emergency response.

"It is a daunting task for the province and LGU heads to move fast and implement local TB-COVID-19 actions," said Dr. Dalawangbayan.

Thus, Governor Jonvic Remulla along with all the mayors agreed to strengthen the province's and the respective localities' TB response by maximizing the available support from the national government and the private sector to be able to provide continuous TB treatment in TB DOTS and Barangay Health Centers, and in government hospitals in the province.

Likewise, USAID's TB Platforms will provide continuous technical assistance to the local chief executives as well as their health and information officers in spearheading a massive information and education campaign on infection prevention and control for TB and COVID-19.

With the General Community Quarantine in place, stricter guidelines for the implementation of proper hygiene, social distancing and maintaining of safe and healthy workplaces will be ensured and monitored by the LGU thru the concerned local government agencies. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite with reports from USAID TB Platforms Project FB post) 

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)