Pathologist sounds alarm on tuberculosis cases in Bilibid | ABS-CBN
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Pathologist sounds alarm on tuberculosis cases in Bilibid
Pathologist sounds alarm on tuberculosis cases in Bilibid
The Bureau of Corrections' New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
The Bureau of Corrections' New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun on Thursday raised concerns on cases of tuberculosis among inmates who died inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.
MANILA — Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun on Thursday raised concerns on cases of tuberculosis among inmates who died inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.
Fortun began conducting autopsies on persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla asked her to perform an autopsy in 2022 on the body of inmate Jun Villamor who was allegedly involved in the controversial killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.
Fortun began conducting autopsies on persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla asked her to perform an autopsy in 2022 on the body of inmate Jun Villamor who was allegedly involved in the controversial killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.
Fortun said she has since then had more than 100 cases of dead PDLs but no definite number yet of positive TB cases.
Fortun said she has since then had more than 100 cases of dead PDLs but no definite number yet of positive TB cases.
"It’s just so rampant and the idea is, the fear is, if you have TB in one enclosed space, then everybody is infected, and it’s not just the PDLs at risk, what about the people who are employed and who work there," Fortun said.
"It’s just so rampant and the idea is, the fear is, if you have TB in one enclosed space, then everybody is infected, and it’s not just the PDLs at risk, what about the people who are employed and who work there," Fortun said.
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Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang said the ongoing decongestion of the New Bilibid Prison would address the health concerns of PDLs.
Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang said the ongoing decongestion of the New Bilibid Prison would address the health concerns of PDLs.
“I think we can move more by the end of 2025, maybe from 25,000 now we will be going down to 20 to 22,000 so decongestion is ongoing. And I hope this will really help a lot because tuberculosis is hawa-hawa no, they have to be really sent outside Metro Manila," Catapang said.
“I think we can move more by the end of 2025, maybe from 25,000 now we will be going down to 20 to 22,000 so decongestion is ongoing. And I hope this will really help a lot because tuberculosis is hawa-hawa no, they have to be really sent outside Metro Manila," Catapang said.
Fortun made the statement at the signing of the declaration of cooperation among the Department of Justice, the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the enhancement of the investigation process on the deaths of PDLs within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Corrections.
Fortun made the statement at the signing of the declaration of cooperation among the Department of Justice, the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the enhancement of the investigation process on the deaths of PDLs within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Corrections.
Fortun said the cooperation would benefit criminal investigations and address health concerns inside prison facilities.
Fortun said the cooperation would benefit criminal investigations and address health concerns inside prison facilities.
Remulla, UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee, and the UNODC Programme Office in the Philippines Country Manager Daniele Marchesi signed the declaration.
Remulla, UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee, and the UNODC Programme Office in the Philippines Country Manager Daniele Marchesi signed the declaration.
It will institutionalize the partnership between UP and the DOJ which will be drafted following the signing.
It will institutionalize the partnership between UP and the DOJ which will be drafted following the signing.
“The DOJ is committed to thoroughly investigate the deaths of PDLs in accordance with international standards good practices and high-level medical forensic expertise,” DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.
“The DOJ is committed to thoroughly investigate the deaths of PDLs in accordance with international standards good practices and high-level medical forensic expertise,” DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.
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