Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, Inc.

Last October 28 2009, the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the UP College of Medicine joined the ranks of prestigious organizations recognized as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) for the year. The TAYO award is known as a benchmark of outstanding student-led groups and their projects. This year, the Sorority’s modified Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (TB-DOTS) Strategy program set in Calawis, Antipolo, Rizal was put on the spotlight, along with several other note-worthy projects, as a testament of the youth’s ingenuity and continued social relevance in the world today.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly communicable disease predominant in our country. In spite of medications available to battle this disease, it still persists in the community at large with severe health morbidity and mortality effects, and public health and economic implications. TB prevention and treatment continues to be complex in our setting and requires involvement of both government and private sectors.

What started out as a simple idea is now a community-wide endeavour. Conceptualized by key individuals and other members of their community, alongside the Sorority, “Tutok GaMUtan: Kapit Bisig Laban sa TB” was born early last year. Directed to the Dumagat tribe of Calawis, the project aimed to identify, treat, and manage TB patients and their families. The project included a preliminary medical mission that screened and identified individuals infected with TB. Out of the 180 patients, 54 adults were further tested, 14 of which turned out to be positive for the disease. Eleven patients successfully underwent the 6-month treatment regimen for TB and “graduated” early this year.

A community-based modified Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy- Short Course (TB DOTS) Strategy, the project essentially aimed to improve access to health care for TB patients. In a typical TB DOTS program, the patients are compelled to visit the health center daily for monitoring of intake of medication. To battle tuberculosis, the consistent intake of medicines on a daily basis for 6 months is a necessity. The innovation introduced in this project aimed to address the difficulty of individuals accessing health care in their upland community. In essence, the TB DOTS clinic was, in effect, brought to them.