Philippines: Anti-TB programme saves lives

In the Philippines, TB occurs up to 12 times more frequently in prisons than outside. It is the second most common cause of death among inmates. The ICRC has been working with the department of health and others to get detention authorities to deal with overcrowding in prisons, as overcrowding is one of the factors that helps spread TB. Since 2012, we have also been running TB control programmes at Quezon City Jail and New Bilibid Prison. The results are convincing: more successful treatment and fewer deaths from TB.