4PS BENEFICIARIES SHARE HOW THEY SURVIVED TB
SOME beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) narrated how they survived tuberculosis (TB) through early detection and immediate medical intervention brought by the Family Development Sessions (FDS) module.
FDS is a program initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2023 that aims to help beneficiaries learn more about the program and participate in community development.
In a story conference titled “Empowering Families Against Tuberculosis: Success Stories and Insights from the Implementation of Family Sessions on TB awareness,” success stories of battling tuberculosis were presented.
According to DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, the FDS is a community-based learning session for parent groups, conducted once a month nationwide.
She added that members’ attendance in the sessions is a must, with topics in responsible parenting, health, nutrition, financial literacy and voter education, among others.
“FDS sessions have emerged as a valuable strategy for raising TB awareness within family units, fostering behavioral changes, refusing stigma, promoting community engagement and ensuring long-term impact in the fight against TB,” Cabrera said.
A family from Albay testified about how they have overcome the disease.
Market vendor Cecilia Arimado said she knew that there was something wrong with her 20-year-old daughter Lhian, when she started to experience daily weight loss, frequent chills and occasional vomiting.
According to Cecilia, Lhian suddenly felt weak and unable to stand during her pregraduation photo shoot, which prompted her to immediately take Lhian to a clinic in Legazpi City, where she was referred to a health center for further evaluation.
At first, I really didn’t know what this was. When I found out about my disease, I started doubting my capability to manage [the illness],” Lhian said.
“She was diagnosed with TB in June 2023. Around June 16, the DSWD-Legazpi conducted an FDS in our community. Right after the session, I approached one of the staff members and brought up my daughter’s condition,” Cecilia said.
With the help of the health center in their area, the medication took six months only.
In partnership with the Department of Health (DoH), 4Ps members were able to seek medical assistance at the health centers near the area, according to Cabrera.
Similar to Arimado’s, the story of the Betser family in Zamboanga Sibugay mirrors the initial struggles of many.
Aside from facing TB among three family members, limited income led them to try faith healing and self-medication initially.
Nanay Arlyn, who was earning P4,000 a month from her job as a household helper, felt pressure during her challenging time.
According to her, they learned that self-medication could worsen the situation and that seeking professional help is essential.
After her family recovered, Arlyn requested for a special FDS to be conducted among her co-4Ps beneficiaries in their area, and she shared how the program has helped her family.
Data from the DoH showed that there were 612,534 new and relapsed tuberculosis cases in the country from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.
Reported cases translate to a case notification rate (CNR) of 549 cases per 100,000 populations — which is higher than the 2022 CNR of 439 cases per 100,000.
Among those notified of new and relapse cases, 86 percent were tested using rapid diagnostic tools, according to the DoH.