Largest mass screening for TB held in New Bilibid Prison

Manila (ICRC) – The largest mass screening for tuberculosis (TB) in the country is being held for about 5,700 inmates in New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Muntinlupa City, as part of efforts to end TB in Philippine jails and prisons.

The mass screening in the maximum security compound, which began on March 14 and will end in May, is the fourth such activity held in NBP with the support of the ICRC, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Philippine Business for Social Progress.

“The Philippines is part of the global effort to end TB by 2035. To achieve that goal, we must support the authorities in finding the undetected TB cases. Mass screenings have shown to be an effective strategy in reducing, and eventually eliminating, TB in jails and prisons,” said Dr. Fatah Labib, who is in charge of the ICRC’s TB in jails program.

According to 2015 Global Tuberculosis Report, the Philippines ranked 9^th among the 22 high-burden countries in the world in terms of TB cases. Every day, 63 Filipinos die from TB.

TB is 4 to 5 times more prevalent in jails and prisons compared to communities in the Philippines.

In 2013, the ICRC and Bureau of Corrections partnered to improve TB control in NBP, with mass screening as one of the strategies. Some 280 TB cases were found during previous mass screenings of a total 8,833 inmates. Of these cases, 27 were Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR), a severe type of TB.

Inmates who were found with TB through the mass screenings immediately underwent treatment at the NBP Hospital’s TB Treatment Unit.

Aside from providing technical support, the ICRC donated one mobile digital chest X-ray, and two GeneXpert testing units that allow the diagnosis of MDR TB cases within two hours.

“One missed inmate with TB can infect around 10-20 inmates, their visiting families, or prison guards in a given year. To effectively control TB, every inmate counts and no one should be left behind. We want to help inmates, at least, to be free from TB and to live healthy while inside the prison,” said Dr. Cecilia Villanueva, TB Coordinator of NBP.

The ICRC, a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization, supports Philippine authorities in their efforts to improve detention conditions and may carry out projects to improve detainees’ access to water, sanitation and health care.

Local MILF, MNLF and BPATs clashes with ASG in Basilan

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Making water readily available in conflict-prone areas in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY --- In the marshlands of Barangay Butilen, Datu Salibo municipality, Maguindanao, in southern Philippines, about 2,000 people are taking refuge due to renewed fighting between government forces and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Finding access to water and sanitation, among other basic necessities, is often difficult for displaced people. But the displaced families in Butilen better cope with their situation, thanks to a project that anticipated their needs.

As part of its preparedness measures in areas prone to armed conflicts, the ICRC installed four hand pumps and 13 toilets in identified evacuation centers in Maguindanao including Barangay Butilen, late last year.

“This is an example of how planning and a good understanding of the local situation enabled the ICRC to implement projects that really benefit communities when armed clashes break out,” explained Alessandro Giusti, who is in charge of ICRC’s water, sanitation and shelter programs in the Philippines.

“Armed conflict and violence can happen anytime, and the needs of those affected are immediate. Projects such as these strengthen the capacity of communities in conflict-prone areas to respond to the needs of those displaced even before they can be reached by humanitarian organizations,” he said.

The facilities, which were handed over to the barangay (village) also in December, are being used by over 2,000 people who fled to safety nearly two months ago. With the clashes still ongoing, they do not know when they will be able to go back home.

“These facilities really made a difference to us and especially to the displaced people,” said Butilen barangay captain Faidza Sandigan. “Before, the evacuees had no choice but to use muddy water from the marsh for washing and bathing. With the hand pumps and toilets in the evacuation camps, the conditions are far better and cleaner.”

The Datu Salibo water and sanitation project ensured that communities were able to cope with the recent influx of displaced persons. The ICRC constructed similar water and sanitation facilities in other barangays in Datu Salibo.

 “Access to clean water is essential if we are to live with dignity no matter the situation,” said Giusti. (Story by Lany de la Cruz, ICRC communication officer in Cotabato)

Allison Lopez

Communication officer

Public communication and media relations

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