MALAYBALAY CITY — Health workers from the Malaybalay City Health Office (CHO) Brought Tuberculosis (TB) treatment directly to a bedridden patient and household contacts in Barangay Sumpong on May 11, in support of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s push for community-based detection and treatment of the illness

CHO District Physician Coordinator Dr. Melody Kaye Rebucas said the patient, diagnosed with
drug-susceptible TB, started Treatment Regimen 1 under the Department of Health’s National
Tuberculosis Control Program (DOH-NTCP).
“The intervention ensures the patient receives prompt medical attention. Members of the NTCP
team visited the residence to initiate treatment and deliver essential healthcare services directly
to the household,” Rebucas said.
She said the home-based approach allows the patient to continue treatment despite limited
mobility while helping prevent transmission within the household.
“During our visit, we conducted patient assessments, counseling, and health education. We urged
strict compliance with medication to ensure recovery and prevent drug resistance while
promoting proper hygiene, balanced nutrition, and good ventilation,” Rebucas said.
Under DOH guidelines, she said Regimen 1 is a six-month treatment for newly diagnosed drugsusceptible TB patients. It starts with a two-month intensive phase using four antibiotics,
followed by a four-month continuation phase using two medicines to eliminate remaining
bacteria and prevent relapse.
Rebucas said TB is an airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it mainly
affects the lungs, it can also damage the kidneys, spine, and brain and may cause severe illness or
death if left untreated.
She warned that interrupted treatment can lead to drug-resistant TB, which requires longer and
more costly treatment. She also advised household contacts to visit the CHO NTCP Office for
evaluation and possible enrollment in Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy to reduce the risk of
infection.
City health officials said community-based interventions help sustain treatment, protect families
from infection, and support Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran’s goal of building a TB-free
Malaybalay City through accessible healthcare services. (JNCL/PIA-10/Bukidnon)