The Philippines' battle against tuberculosis (TB) is a tale of progress and challenges, as revealed by Rugaiya Calapis, a public health expert and chair of the DOH National Capital Region (NCR) South TB Medical Advisory Council. Calapis highlights the country's significant strides in TB control, particularly in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for faster diagnosis and the development of new treatment regimens that have reduced the duration of drug-resistant TB treatments from 20 months to just six months. These advancements have not only improved treatment outcomes but also empowered primary healthcare workers and community-based partners to provide more efficient care.
However, despite these achievements, the Philippines still faces a formidable TB burden, ranking as the third-most affected country globally in 2025, according to the WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report. Calapis attributes this to increased TB notifications due to extensive testing, emphasizing the importance of sustainable funding for TB control programs. The country's TB control program received US$68.9 million from international sources and US$50.3 million from domestic sources in 2024, but Calapis warns that reduced support could lead to delayed diagnoses and incomplete or no treatment.
One area of improvement, according to Calapis, is multi-disease testing, which could reduce costs for patients and medical laboratories. However, this method may require a robust specimen transportation system. Additionally, Calapis acknowledges the need for better awareness and information dissemination among Filipinos, as many patients often present at late stages of the disease due to a lack of understanding about TB. The National TB Control Program, established in 1978, has been working to address this issue, but Calapis believes there is still room for improvement in educating the public about TB.
In conclusion, while the Philippines has made remarkable progress in TB control, Calapis emphasizes the need for continued investment and awareness efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of TB control programs and to ultimately reduce the country's TB burden.
