DOH targets to screen 12M Filipinos for TB by 2026

The Department of Health is targeting to screen 12 million Filipinos nationwide in an effort to curb tuberculosis in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, the DOH said this is under the newly approved Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan Phase 2 (PhilSTEP2) 2025-2030.

The Health Department also said it proposed a P4.2-billion budget for tuberculosis services under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“In the Philippines, we are already using ultra-portable AI-powered chest X-rays and WHO-recommended Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) to quickly screen and diagnose TB cases. We are already using an innovative all-oral regimen for drug-resistant TB, that cuts the treatment from 2 years to only 6 months with a higher treatment success rate. We are integrating the complete cascade of care in DOH-governed BUCAS centers and primary care facilities under LGUs,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. 

The DOH also said that there was a 50% increase in Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) regimens in 2024. TPT has likewise been expanded to cover contacts of drug-resistant TB cases and is now under advanced programmatic implementation.

Children with non severe drug susceptible TB may now also have shortened 6 to 4 months treatment programs using 2HRZE/2HR regimen. The complete continuum of care for Filipinos affected with TB is provided by the government. 

DOH said it will continue to conduct community-based information caravans and implement planned multisectoral framework for joint action to end tuberculosis by 2035.

“Tuberculosis is a global challenge, and progress in any country means bringing the world closer to ending the disease. We know what works, and we’re seeing some encouraging results here in the Philippines… WHO remains steadfast in its support for DOH at the central and sub-national levels. Together, we are strengthening case-finding, getting more people on preventive medicines, and helping people who are infected stick to their treatment plan,” said Acting WHO Representative to the Philippines Eunyoung Ko.

DOH said that tuberculosis remains to be one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines with 6.8% of the 10.7 million cases of tuberculosis worldwide recorded in the country. This means around 625 Filipinos for every 100,000 had tuberculosis in 2024.

It added that an estimated 98 Filipino lives were lost to TB each day. The DOH, however, said the number reflects a 3% reduction from the previous year. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News