The Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are ramping up efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines, aiming to screen 12 million Filipinos nationwide by 2026.
In a news release Wednesday night, the DOH said the initiative is under the newly approved Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan Phase 2 2025 to 2030.
Developed in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the fight against TB – from prevention to treatment – the plan aims to expand the reach and efficiency of TB services.
The DOH’s proposed 2026 budget under the National Expenditure Program allocates P4.2 billion for TB programs, nearly double the P2.6 billion earmarked in 2025.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the country is leveraging technology and innovation to accelerate TB detection and treatment.
Ultra-portable AI-powered chest X-rays and WHO-recommended Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests are being used to quickly screen and diagnose TB cases.
He added that an innovative all-oral regimen for drug-resistant TB cuts treatment time from two years to only six months.
The DOH also reported a more than 50 percent increase in enrollment for Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) in 2024, boosted by shorter TPT regimens and expanded contact investigation. The TPT program has been extended to cover contacts of drug-resistant TB cases and is now under advanced programmatic implementation.
Children with non-severe, drug-susceptible TB are now benefiting from shortened treatment courses – four months instead of six – under the 2HRZE/2HR regimen.
The DOH continues to promote awareness and early treatment through expanded social and behavior change campaigns, including the TPTodo caravans, which educate communities on preventive treatment and the importance of early care-seeking.
The national campaign is guided by the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis, which unites government agencies, civil society, and private partners in the goal of eliminating TB by 2035.
ANADOLU PHOTO
