Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10767)
Republic Act No. 10767 shall be known as the "Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act."
The State is mandated to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development and shall support and expand efforts to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem by increasing investments for its prevention, treatment, and control, and adopting a multisectoral approach.
Tuberculosis or TB is defined as an infectious but curable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and spitting, affecting the lungs and possibly other organs like bones, kidney, and liver.
The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for establishing the Comprehensive Philippine Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis in consultation with appropriate public and private entities.
Key components include the country’s targets and strategies, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support, development and application of technologies, strengthening partnerships with organizations, monitoring system establishment, and mobilization of anti-TB services during disasters.
The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) and Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) serve as the National TB Control Program’s arms to strengthen and support nationwide program operations and coordinate efforts between public and private sectors.
The Secretary of Health conducts basic and clinical research, develops demonstration projects, conducts public information campaigns, undertakes education and training for health care providers, supports model centers, and collaborates with local and foreign organizations.
The DOH shall provide free laboratory services, ensure free and reliable supply of TB drugs through coordination with LGUs, and the FDA shall regulate the sale and use of anti-TB drugs enforcing a 'No prescription, No anti-TB drugs' policy to ensure quality and proper use.
All public and private health centers, hospitals, and facilities must notify the DOH of all TB cases as prescribed under the National TB Program's Manual of Procedures and the Philippine Plan of Action on Tuberculosis Control.
PhilHealth shall expand its benefit package to cover new, relapse, and return-after-default TB cases and extend treatment, enhance its outpatient Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) package, and increase accredited DOTS facilities for wider patient coverage.
The Secretary of Health and the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepED) shall work together to include modules on TB prevention, detection, management, and control in the health curricula of all public and private elementary and high schools.
The Secretary of Health, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall encourage local media to launch campaigns using various media formats to promote TB control, treatment and management, including discouraging public spitting and unhygienic behavior.
The necessary funds to implement this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOH, DepED, CHED, and PIA under the General Appropriations Act.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.