Phl, WHO step up fight against tuberculosis, target 12 million screenings by 2026

The Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are intensifying efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines, aiming to screen 12 million Filipinos nationwide by 2026.

In a Wednesday night news release, the DOH said the initiative falls under the newly approved Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan Phase 2 (2025–2030).

Developed in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the fight against TB—from prevention to treatment—the plan seeks to expand the reach and efficiency of TB services across the country.

The DOH’s proposed 2026 budget under the National Expenditure Program allocates PHP4.2 billion for TB programs, nearly double the PHP2.6 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 deployed to quickly screen and diagnose TB cases,” he said.

Herbosa also highlighted an all-oral regimen for drug-resistant TB, which reduces treatment time from two years to just six months.

The DOH reported a more than 50% increase in enrollment for Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) in 2024, driven by shorter regimens and expanded contact investigation. The program now covers contacts of drug-resistant TB cases under advanced programmatic implementation.

Children with non-severe, drug-susceptible TB are also benefiting from shortened treatment courses—four months instead of six—under the 2HRZE/2HR regimen.

To raise awareness and encourage early care-seeking, the DOH has expanded social and behavior change campaigns, including TPTodo caravans, which educate communities on preventive treatment.

The nationwide campaign follows the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis, uniting government agencies, civil society, and private partners in the mission to eliminate TB by 2035.

WHO acting representative to the Philippines, Dr. Eunyoung Ko, described TB as a global challenge, saying that progress in any country brings the world closer to ending the disease. She noted the WHO continues to support the DOH at central and local levels, with places like Guimaras working to become the country’s first TB-free island.

Globally, an estimated 10.7 million TB cases were recorded in 2024, with 6.8% in the Philippines, or 625 cases per 100,000 population. TB remains a leading cause of death in the country, claiming about 98 lives daily, though this represents a 3% drop from the previous year.

Through stronger funding, innovative screening technologies, and sustained community engagement, the DOH and WHO reaffirmed their commitment to curb TB transmission, improve treatment outcomes, and move closer to ending tuberculosis in the Philippines by 2030.