South Cotabato, Philippines—-The Provincial Government of South Cotabato officially inaugurated and blessed the Public Health Unit Office and TB DOTS Clinic on June 5, 2025, at the grounds of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City.
The Public Health Unit is composed of three programs: the Health Education Promotion Office, which promotes good health; Disease Surveillance, which monitors and reports diseases; and Care Navigation, which focuses on managing referrals.
A patient is referred when the hospital in their community can no longer handle their case, and a higher level of hospital care is needed. However, the referral process necessitates coordination and does not permit direct admission.
Also opened during the ceremony was the TB DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course) Clinic, which enables the hospital to provide free treatment and medications for both admitted and outpatient tuberculosis (TB) patients.
“May ara kita sang isolation ward nga para gid sa TB positive patients. Ang TB, once maka start treatment for a week or for two weeks, hindi na na sya siling nga infectious nga makalaton,” explained Dr. Ana Marie T. Tuburan, Medical Officer IV, emphasizing that TB patients become non-infectious once treatment is properly initiated.
Dr. Tuburan further noted the availability of essential medication.
“May mga bulong na kita nga available sa hospital. Ang aton mga admission, ang aton mga OPD nga dire nagpa-konsulta sa aton nga may mga TB, pwede na sila hatagan.”
The hospital also prioritizes infection control by ensuring close contacts of TB patients are screened.
“Gina see to it naton nga hindi lang ang (TB) patient ang gina-screen naton, pati ang iya nga family members, ang iya nga watchers gina-screen man naton kay basi kung nalatnan man siya sa ila nga balay,” Dr. Tuburan added.
Patients admitted to the isolation ward must be accompanied by a guardian if they are bedridden or persons with disabilities (PWDs), to ensure proper care and monitoring.
Nurse II Elvina Testa encouraged the public to seek early medical attention.
“Sa mga naga-ubo more than two weeks kag gina-lagnat, hindi kamo magkahuya magpalapit sa inyo mga facility kay may mga libre kita nga mga bulong kag may kaayuhan na gid ang TB sa subong nga panahon.”
With these facilities now fully operational, the Provincial Government reaffirms its commitment to accessible, responsive, and quality healthcare for every South Cotabateño.
People who have been coughing for more than two weeks or have a fever are encouraged not to feel ashamed or afraid to get checked because there is free medication available, and TB is very much treatable nowadays.
