Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. Ikinagagalak kong makasama kayong lahat sa mahalagang okasyon na ito.
(First of all, I would like to express my wholehearted sympathy to Filipinos for the great loss of lives and serious damages caused by Typhoon Yolanda. We immediately showed solidarity by dispatching a medical team, and declaring 10 million USD emergency grant aid as well as in-kind relief assistance.)
Tuberculosis is one of the most life threatening diseases infecting millions of people worldwide. TB is a major global health concern which should be fought relentlessly. Even developed countries, including Japan, cannot lower its guard against this infectious disease.
In the past TB killed many in Japan. Indeed, the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association (JATA) was established in 1939 by a special decree of Her Majesty the Empress, in order to fight the disease. The Research Institute of Tuberculosis (RIT) is one of JATA's facilities. Through research, awareness program and treatment, TB which was quite common in the post-war period has substantially decreased, and the death rate is very low.
Sadly, the Philippines remains to be heavily burdened by TB. Based on the Global Tuberculosis Report 2013 by the World Health Organization, the Philippines ranks among the top ten countries in number of TB patients.
In order to address this issue in the Philippines, JATA started programs to enhance the anti-TB capacity of Cebu Province in 1992. The programs included establishment of Cebu Regional Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory and training for Cebu Province health officials. Subsequently, the cooperation in Cebu was expanded to the whole Region 7 in 1997. Then further to Manila City and Quezon City in 2002, through projects with JICA and DOH. One of the outcomes of the projects is a manual handbook for the field workers engaging in monitoring and survey.
In spite of all these efforts, the incidence rate of TB in the Philippines has continued to be high. Especially among informal settlers. People in these areas lack money and facilities even for basic health care. Furthermore, because of insecurity health workers cannot access these areas in some cases. Discontinued treatment due to frequent relocation of patients compound the difficulties. It will inevitably lead to drug-resistant TB which is a lot harder to treat. The Direct Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) is a proper strategy of TB therapy. Vigilance is the key to TB prevention and control.
The needs of the underprivileged communities in the urban areas required a base in the Philippines. This is why RIT / JATA Philippines, Inc., or RJPI, was established. With the tagline "Stop TB para sa Lahat" (Stop TB for all), RJPI focused on raising awareness on TB targeting the urban poor in Tondo, Manila and Payatas in Quezon City.
I have visited them on site. I was impressed by the untiring efforts of RJPI to train and track the patients in these urban poor communities.
They are building a network with Philippine NGOs and key officials in Manila and Quezon City. The network has allowed sharing of information about patients. Discontinuing treatments is a real danger. Periodic classes are held at Barangay halls and schools to promote public awareness. Furthermore, to date, 26 doctors, 108 nurses and 487 volunteers were trained on TB treatment. RJPI is also serving as facilitator in the development of training modules for the Philippine Tuberculosis Control Program of the Global Fund.
These are the reasons for which I am awarding the Certificate of Commendation to RJPI.
I sincerely hope that RJPI will continue with their laudable path in the quest for friendship and cooperation not only between Japan and the Philippines, but among the members of the global community.
Now, it is my great privilege and honor to present the Certificate of Commendation to RJPI. Maraming salamat. (Thank you very much.)
