ILOILO CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) encouraged the public to avail of the free chest X-ray examination for suspected tuberculosis (TB) patients through the X-ray Voucher System.
Yasmin Omar, DOH WV CHD X-ray Voucher System Point Person and Intensified Case Finding Field Coordinator, said the voucher system seeks to improve access to X-ray as screening tool and not just as diagnostic tool as a key activity under the Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan, Phase 1 (PhilSTEP 1).
“This provides free X-ray to walk-in patients to identified facilities through a referral system,” she said.
Omar said that the X-ray voucher system is being implemented in various pilot sites in Western Visayas.
In Aklan, the pilot implementation sites are Kalibo Rural Health Units (RHU) 1 and 2, New Washington RHU 1 and 2, and Malay RHU; while for Antique, San Jose RHU and Sibalom RHU are the designated sites for the voucher system.
Maayon RHU, Cuartero RHU, and Sapian RHU are the pilot sites in the province of Capiz, while in the province of Iloilo, the implementation sites are Concepcion RHU, Janiuay RHU, and Sta. Barbara RHU.
In Negros Occidental, the pilot implementation sites are San Carlos City Health Office (CHO), Cadiz CHO, and Sipalay CHO, while the Bacolod CHO is the designated site in Bacolod City.
In Iloilo City, the following are the implementation sites: Jaro 1 RHU, Jaro 2 RHU, La Paz RHU, Mandurriao RHU, Molo RHU, Arevalo RHU, Bo. Obrero RHU, Sto. Rosario RHU, and Tanza RHU.
The Buenavista RHU is the pilot implementation site in the island-province of Guimaras.
Omar said that individuals with history of previous TB treatment will not be required to be screened through X-ray and should be tested for Xpert immediately if found symptomatic again.
In order to be an eligible recipient of the free X-ray service, the individual should be a resident of the catchment area of the facility where the service is available.
Likewise, clients who are 14 years old and below should follow the National Tuberculosis Program criteria for identifying TB in children. (JSC/LTP/PIA6 Iloilo)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
0 Comments