The government has reached out to private doctors to strengthen partnership with Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the effort to reduce tuberculosis cases and improve its cure rate through the National TB Program (NTP). In fact, the Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (Philcat) sponsored a training on Directly Observed Treatment Short (DOTS) Course for more than 20 private medical doctors from the municipalities of Valencia , Garcia-Hernandez, Jagna, Duero , Guindulman, Candijay, Alicia and Mabini. It was held on January 30 at the Domene Kaw Pension House in barangay Pangdan, Jagna.

The activity even clinched with the signing of the terms of agreement between the private physicians and the DOTS program as well as the registration for accreditation with Philcat. The activity aimed to intensify the advocacy for a TB-free Bohol . Philcat recognizes the necessity to increase TB detection rate as private doctors are likewise tapped to endorse their TB patients to the RHU of Jagna which are designated as among the Public-Private Mixed DOTS (PPMD) units in Bohol. This way, the TB patients of private doctors can avail of the services the government through the RHUs.

In recognizing the significant role of private doctors, NTP Regional Medical Coordinator Dr. Enrique Sancho explained to the participants that the case detection rate is only 70 percent and the program aims to reduce TB cases by 50 percent with cure rate of 80 percent. “In a TB prevalence survey conducted in 1997, 70 percent of the people suspected to have been infected with the disease don't seek professional health service. If they would do, these patients would prefer to go to a private doctor but the medication is almost always impeded due to the expensive maintenance of the medicines,” Dr. Sancho added.

This is true in Bohol wherein there is a large number of TB patients but are mortified to seek medical help especially from RHUs. The patients also have the mentality that private clinics or hospitals have more capability to cure and sustain them. Central Visayas NTP Coordinator Jocelyn Tabotabo, who was one of the speakers, encouraged the private doctors to refer their TB patient to Jagna DOTS facility which offer medical examinations that include sputum microscopy, and free supply of TB NTP drug kit for the six months. If the sputum microscopy yields a negative result, the patient submits himself to x-ray examination, then the results of which will be submitted to the TB Diagnostic Committee at the Provincial Health Office for further recommendations.

“After the TB patient is referred to Jagna PPMD Unit, he or she will be returned to the referring physician (the private doctors) and the paying program shall be done through the Philhealth's accreditation eligibility,” Tabotabo explained. Jagna RHU Head Dr. Arnold Cagulada expressed his sincere appreciation to the positive response of the doctors both from the RHUs and the private clinics and hospitals. Representing Mayor Exuperio Lloren, chair of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Health and Sanitation, Councilor Senen Lloren lauded the sponsoring agencies such as the Philcat, the Department of Health Regional Office and the RHU Jagna personnel. He likewise enumerated the latest achievements of the LGU as far as health services are concerned and other future plans. Hazard map presented to Jagna brgy captains