Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Former Department of Health (DOH) secretary-turned-congresswoman Janette Garin has described as alarming the sudden spike in the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Tondo, Manila.

Garin warned the public to take extra precautions after doctors' group Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF) revealed that 1,280 residents in Tondo were infected with TB.

"This is alarming. The government must take action against the increasing number of tuberculosis in the country," the Iloilo 1st district representative said.

The lady lawmaker said this was also seen in Iloilo during the Bantay Kalusugan, a medical mission initiated by Garin.

Garin expressed concern over the increasing number of TB cases since the medicines for TB are always out of stock in public medical facilities.

"Nakakabahala na kulang ang gamot para sa ganitong uri ng sakit. Tamang distribution at maaayos na sistema sa pagbibigay ng gamot ang kailangan upang matiyak na makakakuha ng sapat na gamot ang mga Pilipino," stressed "Doc Nanay", who described the disease as preventable and curable.

(It's worrisome that we have already shortage of medicines for this disease. Proper distribution and an efficient distribution system are what's needed to ensure that Filipinos get ample medicine.)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10.8 million individuals worldwide contracted TB in 2023.

TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, WHO said.

Based on the data of the US Agency for International Development, the estimated TB incidence in the Philippines in 2021 was 741,000. An estimate of 61,000 people died from the said disease.