Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc.

The Bahay ng Kabalikat sa Kalusugan (KASAKA) Housing Facility for MDR-TB was launched on Jun 11, 2004 as the first treatment center satellite of the Makati Medical Center Multidrug Resistant TB (MDR TB) Clinic. Bahay KASAKA used to be Teachersâ?? Pavilion within the Quezon Institute (QI) grounds owned by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc. (PTSI). Through a Memorandum of Agreement with PTSI and through funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), TDF was able to set it up as temporary housing for patients coming from outside the Metro Manila area. This facility has 28 beds for in-house MDR TB patients and an outpatient facility for those who live within the catchment area.

Bahay KASAKA has taken care of at least 180 MDR TB patients since 1994, 71 of whom have treatment outcomes.Patients enrolled in this facility can stay in-house only for as long as they remain culture-positive. Thereafter, they have to find residence near QI so that they can come to KASAKA daily for out-patient MDR-TB services until completion of treatment. While in the facility, patients are given free meals through the GFATM. Other needs of patients are at their own expense.

ImageActivities for patient support in Bahay KASAKA include gardening, cooking, skills training for making novelty items and rags, etc. These are intended to equip patients with a skill which will make them busy during treatment and which they can use upon their reintegration into the community. These items are sold during TB-related events such as World TB Day and Annual Convention of the Philippine Coalition against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT).

image003.jpgAnother major activity geared towards patient support and adherence is the psychosocial group therapy sessions being undertaken regularly by a team composed of a Senior Consultant Psychologist, a Psychosocial Coordinator and an in-house Psychologist. This activity is being replicated at the MMC DOTS Clinic.