By Shiela Mae Butlig, Correspondent PERSONS who have Tuberculosis (TB) but refuse to get treatment because of the stigma attached to the disease could face a bigger problem since the disease, if left untreated, could become “multi-drug resistant,” a public health official warned, yesterday. Jhun Ronald Gilbolingo, Programmatic Management of Drugesistant TB-Technical Staff of the Department of Health (DOH 10), here, explained that persons who have TB yet choose not to consult the nearest health centers could face a much bigger health problem. Worse, they could infect their family members, relatives and co-workers. “Ordinary TB will be cured 6-8 months, but if left (untreated), you’ll (become) a multi-drug resistant,” Gilbolingo said. This means that instead of the regular six to eight months treatment, the infected person will have to be treated for 18 to 24 months. Gilbolingo stressed that when a person has a multi-drug resistant TB, it would be difficult for both the doctor and the patient. “Worst, if makatakod ni sya, ang iyang matakdan will also endure the 18-24 months medication,” added Gilbolingo. The best thing to do––said Emmanuelita Barera , DOH’s National TB Control Program Coordinator––is to visit the nearest health centers if a person is experiencing a two-week cough. “Di mani sya maulian ug lagundi-lagundi lang,” said Barera. According to the health department, up to now , the reason why those who are positive of TB refuse to get treatment is because of –stigma. Which is really not the answer to the problem, instead of thinking that way, Barera urged, these persons to make them as a treatment partner. In their latest estimate, as of 2014, DOH said that they have cured 84 percent of persons with TB in the country.