Heart Attack Overtakes TB As Leading Cause Of Death In Philippine Prisons

MANILA, Aug 21 (Bernama-PNA) -- The Philippine Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Thursday said myocardial infarction or heart attack is now the leading cause of death among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), surpassing tuberculosis (TB), which has long been regarded as a significant health threat in crowded prison settings.

According to Philippine News Agency (PNA), based on BuCor data from 2022 to 2025, there were 445 deaths from heart attacks as compared to only 59 from pulmonary tuberculosis.

In a report to BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., CT/CSupt. Ma. Cecilia Villanueva, director for Health and Welfare Services, said while TB remains a significant health concern across all operating prison and penal farms (OPPFs) due to factors such as overcrowding and poor ventilation, current data show that other respiratory illnesses -- such as pneumonia (234 cases) and acute respiratory failure (71) -- are now more prevalent causes of mortality.

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Meanwhile, other top causes of death at the national penitentiary were cerebrovascular accident (65), chronic kidney disease (61), electrolyte imbalance (43), sepsis (40), congestive heart failure (35), and anaemia (19).

Villanueva said BuCor continues to actively manage tuberculosis through well-established programmes and services, implemented in close partnership with various government and non-government organisations.

These initiatives aim not only to treat but also to prevent the spread of TB within BuCor facilities.

-- BERNAMA-PNA