QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 1136)
RA 1136 reorganizes the Division of Tuberculosis in the Department of Health to strengthen and structure tuberculosis control services in the Philippines, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, training, research, and related support functions.
It includes (1) an administrative section with specified units (statistical, motor and electrical maintenance, library, and buildings and grounds maintenance); (2) a section of clinics and therapy; (3) a section of prevention and immunization with BCG immunization and children's clinic, plus health education and social service units; (4) a section of X-ray operation and maintenance; and (5) a section of TB laboratory operation and research.
They are appointed by the Secretary of Health. The Chief receives annual compensation of seven thousand two hundred pesos (as stated in the text), and the Assistant Chief receives six thousand pesos.
Subordinate personnel of the present Division are continued in office with at least the same compensation.
To coordinate, direct, and implement comprehensive tuberculosis control services nationwide, including direct (BCG immunization) and indirect prevention, diagnosis, treatment, social rehabilitation, public health training, research, epidemiological/statistical studies, and national/international information pooling.
The Division must establish and maintain at least thirty fully-equipped, fully-manned provincial TB centers within four years, complete with diagnostic laboratory, X-ray and treatment facilities (surgical and non-surgical), and giving free services.
The Division must operate and supervise wards for TB patients in provincial hospitals where provincial TB centers exist.
The Division must establish and maintain at least thirty mobile X-ray units within four years to reach rural areas with no access to chest centers.
At least thirty mobile TB prevention units within four years: to conduct mass BCG immunization of susceptible children and young adults; provide intensive health education (e.g., loudspeaker attached to wagons, lectures, movies, leaflets); do home-visiting with home-visitors in rural areas; and gather epidemiological information on TB.
They are settlements for patients with initial or convalescing tuberculosis who have no place in sanatoria or hospitals, located in strategic areas in all three principal regions. The Division must establish and maintain at least six such settlements.
To facilitate rehabilitation and replacement into normal society by teaching patients gainful occupations under proper medical control, including assistance for patients’ families as stated in the Act.
It serves as central headquarters for directing public health tuberculosis work nationwide—receiving reports and statistical/epidemiological information and acting as a tuberculosis training center for all categories of public health workers.
The Division must pool all tuberculosis information and exchange it with other countries, and cooperate with all agencies—governmental and voluntary—in matters of general public health welfare.
It includes: (1) the Secretary of Health as chairman; (2) one representative each of the Department of Labor, Department of Education, and Social Welfare Administration; (3) a representative of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society; and (4) a representative each of two civic organizations designated by the President.
The chief of the Division of Tuberculosis is the executive-secretary of the Council.
It gives advice to the Division regarding the performance of the Division’s functions.
When ready for full turnover to the Government: (1) FOA-PHILCUSA and WHO-UNICEF assisted TB and BCG units; (2) all tuberculosis clinics supported by provincial or city governments if the concerned provinces/cities agree; and (3) all TB public health activities of the Department of Health, Department of Education, and Social Welfare Administration are transferred to the Division.
The Division is authorized and directed to receive, staff, and maintain any TB center or pavilion that the Philippine Tuberculosis Society voluntarily turns over to it.
It appropriates two million five thousand pesos (or so much as necessary) from any funds in the National Treasury otherwise appropriated to carry out the Act for the fiscal year 1955. For subsequent years, necessary sums must be included in the General Appropriation Act.
Upon its approval, i.e., after June 16, 1954 as stated in the Act.