A total of 165 persons deprived of liberty at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City has been undergoing treatment for tuberculosis, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
In a statement, the BuCor said screenings for tuberculosis are being held regularly "to facilitate and ensure the well-being of both inmates and staff members within the correctional system.”
The screenings are being conducted in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH), it said.
“The need for intensified efforts against tuberculosis in the Philippines is underscored by recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO),” it also said.
“The Philippines has reported the highest incidence of TB cases in the Western Pacific Region, placing it among the top five nations burdened with a high prevalence of the disease alongside China, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam,” it noted.