IN a vigorous move to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in high-risk environments, the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region successfully conducted a comprehensive Active Case Finding (ACF) initiative at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail on August 28, 2026.

The event was organized through a strategic multi-agency partnership between the Provincial Health Office of Ilocos Norte, Laoag City Health Office and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in alignment with the National Tuberculosis Day Celebration.

OIC – Local Health Support Division and Communicable Disease Cluster Head Rheuel C. Bobis said that the activity was conducted to protect vulnerable populations in congregate and high-density environments.

“Enclosed and shared spaces like jails, naturally escalate the risk of airborne transmission, and we need to ensure that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are not left behind in the country's vision for a healthier, TB-free community,” he stated.

During the one-day event health workers conducted rapid, systematic health screenings to 150 PDLs to map out presumptive TB cases imcluding critical screening, testing, and diagnostic services directly inside the correctional facility.

The proactive screening protocol serves a dual purpose: it guarantees immediate medical assistance for infected PDLs while stopping the chain of transmission before it can spread to jail personnel, visiting family members, and the surrounding communities.

This initiative is a core element of the region’s aggressive Tuberculosis Control Program, which champions data-driven, community-centered, and accessible health services for every sector of society.