Japan, UNOPS partner to strengthen tuberculosis screening in remote areas

Ambassador Endo Kazuya signed and exchanged notes with United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Geneva Office Director, Andrew Kirkwood, for “The Project for Enhancing Tuberculosis Screening in Remote Areas” in the Philippines on 30 October 2025.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa was also present to witness the signing ceremony.

The Philippines, identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a high-burden country for tuberculosis (TB), recorded an estimated 739,000 new TB cases in 2023. To help combat this ongoing public health concern, the Government of Japan has announced a grant assistance package worth ¥370 million (approximately ₱141,366,418.00) to support the country’s anti-TB initiatives.

Under the project, Japan will provide 20 ultraportable X-ray units equipped with Fujifilm’s computer-aided diagnosis (AI-CAD) technology. These advanced screening tools will be distributed to provincial health offices serving Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), where access to healthcare remains limited.

The initiative aims to expand TB screening coverage, enabling earlier detection and prompt treatment, particularly in underserved communities. Health officials emphasized that improving access to diagnostic tools is essential to reducing the TB burden and achieving better public health outcomes nationwide.

At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Endo highlighted over 30 years of support from Japan to the Philippine government in the fight against TB, and expressed that, as a committed neighbor and partner, Japan will continue to support efforts to achieve a TB-free Philippines through this project.