PDLs, personnel of Sablayan Prison subjected to TB screening test
More than 1,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and at least three personnel of the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro have undergone chest x-ray due to remarkable signs of tuberculosis (TB), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.
Thereafter, BuCor said they will be subjected to confirmatory tests.
“Screening was done to 2,894 PDLs and 73 personnel in the sub-prisons and central prison compound of SPPF," it said.
It also said the TB screening activity was initiated by SPPF superintendent C/Supt. Robert A. Veneracion with the support of BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr.
The screening was done last Nov. 6 to 10 by the SPPF Hospital in collaboration with the Provincial Health Office of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress.
“The main purpose of this significant event was to enhance the health programs through prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, which is still one of the leading causes of mortality in the Philippines,” BuCor said.