• Send page

World TB Day: health workers on the move against TB in Philippine jails

23-03-2011 Photo gallery

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a major health concern worldwide. Based on a recent study of seven detention facilities in the Philippines, the prevalence of this disease inside jails and prisons is up to five times higher than among the general population.

  • Tuberculosis is an airborne disease considered as one of the leading causes of death in Philippine jails and prisons. Inmates who have TB suffer from chronic cough, fever, and weight loss. If left untreated, TB becomes fatal.
    • Tuberculosis is an airborne disease considered as one of the leading causes of death in Philippine jails and prisons. Inmates who have TB suffer from chronic cough, fever, and weight loss. If left untreated, TB becomes fatal.
      © ICRC / Rem Zamora / ph-e-00536

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Overcrowding in jails and prisons is a serious problem in the Philippines. Congestion increases the risk of acquiring TB.
    • Overcrowding in jails and prisons is a serious problem in the Philippines. Congestion increases the risk of acquiring TB.
      © ICRC / Rem Zamora / ph-e-00544

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • To diagnose if an inmate has TB or not, sputum samples are collected from those who exhibit symptoms such as persistent coughing for at least two weeks.
    • To diagnose if an inmate has TB or not, sputum samples are collected from those who exhibit symptoms such as persistent coughing for at least two weeks.
      © ICRC / Rem Zamora / ph-e-00538

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Sputum samples of suspected TB cases are submitted to a laboratory for evaluation. Three samples are collected and analyzed before confirming a TB case.
    • Sputum samples of suspected TB cases are submitted to a laboratory for evaluation. Three samples are collected and analyzed before confirming a TB case.
      © ICRC / Rem Zamora / ph-e-00540

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Wearing masks is a necessary precaution for the team of jail nurses doing laboratory tests on sputum smears collected from inmates. The same samples are submitted to the City Health Office for quality checks.
    • Wearing masks is a necessary precaution for the team of jail nurses doing laboratory tests on sputum smears collected from inmates. The same samples are submitted to the City Health Office for quality checks.
      © ICRC / Rem Zamora / ph-e-00539

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • TB is a curable ailment. Treatment of detainees with TB requires a combination of anti-TB drugs every day for at least six months.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Medicines are delivered to inmates in the TB isolation cell every morning before breakfast. The jail nurse observes their intake to ensure that each patient gets their daily dose.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Various initiatives on TB management have been initiated by the Cebu City Jail administration, including the construction of a new TB isolation ward. Weekly seminars are conducted by the health staff to inform all inmates about the disease.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • A nurse screens each new inmate arriving at the city jail for early detection of TB suspects. A simple checklist helps determine if the new inmate is exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Aside from improved living conditions and good nutrition, a dose of fresh air helps prevent the spread of this deadly disease inside jails. Every morning TB patients spend two hours outdoors.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • Several inmates volunteer as health aides to monitor the physical condition of fellow detainees in their respective cells. They maintain a cough surveillance record that they submit to jail nurses every week.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.

  • TB is a community concern as it can be easily transmitted to jail guards, staff, and the inmates' visitors.

    Management of TB in jails is one of the key concerns of the Call for Action process launched by the ICRC in 2007. Through this initiative, the penitentiary system, in coordination with the Department of Health, implemented the National Tuberculosis Control Program in seven pilot jails and prisons to provide access to TB care for at least 30,000 inmates. To mark World TB Day, the ICRC visited Cebu City Jail to look closely at what is being done by the jail's health staff to fight the disease.


    • Related sections

    World TB day 2011