Completing TB treatment crucial to disease elimination, Hontiveros says

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros has underscored the importance of treatment completion in the country's efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, cautioning that early detection without follow-through leaves many Filipinos vulnerable to the disease.

"Screening is merely the first step," Hontiveros said, stressing that the real challenge lies in ensuring diagnosed patients adhere to their complete treatment regimen. She noted that incomplete treatment poses serious public health risks and undermines disease control efforts.

The senator highlighted a persistent gap in the healthcare system where many Filipinos diagnosed with TB fail to complete their prescribed medications. This incomplete treatment not only allows the disease to progress but can also lead to drug-resistant strains, complicating future treatment efforts.

Hontiveros called for comprehensive support systems to help patients complete their TB courses, noting that barriers such as medication access, side effects, and lack of follow-up care contribute to treatment abandonment. She stressed that addressing these gaps requires coordinated efforts between government health agencies, local government units, and community health workers to ensure better TB outcomes nationwide.