The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) is expanding its tuberculosis (TB) detection campaign by offering free chest X-rays in several barangays this month to encourage more residents to undergo screening and seek early treatment.

National Tuberculosis Program Nurse Coordinator Ma. Estrella Fortuna said Thursday the initiative aims to identify more TB cases, especially among people who remain hesitant to visit health centers despite the availability of free diagnosis and treatment.

“There are still people who hesitate to go to our health centers. That is why we provide TB preventive therapy, including free medicines for household contacts of TB patients,” Fortuna said during a press conference.

She said TB is an airborne infectious disease but is preventable and curable through early detection and proper treatment, which is available free of charge at district health centers.

From January to June, the city enrolled 1,520 patients in its TB program, about half of its 2026 target of 2,972 cases.

In 2025, the city recorded 2,840 notified cases against a target of 3,004.

Most patients are between 25 and 45 years old, Fortuna said.

The city posted a 95 percent TB treatment success rate in the first half of 2026, up from 93 percent in 2025. Standard treatment lasts six months.

As part of the observance of National Lung Month, the CHO will provide free chest X-rays for residents aged 15 and older at Barangay MH Del Pilar in Jaro on Aug. 25, with additional screenings scheduled in selected barangays in the Molo, La Paz, Lapuz and Mandurriao districts.

“This is a big help because X-rays are expensive,” Fortuna said.

Common symptoms of TB include a cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite and night sweats. (PNA)