The Philippines is taking bold steps to tackle tuberculosis (TB) head-on, with ambitious goals set by the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). By 2026, they aim to screen a staggering 12 million Filipinos for TB, a significant leap from the previous year's budget. This ambitious plan, known as the Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan Phase 2 (PhilSTEP2) 2025-2030, is fueled by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s directive to intensify the nation's fight against TB. The DOH has proposed a substantial budget of ₱4.2 Billion for 2026, a remarkable doubling of the 2025 budget, showcasing the government's dedication to this cause.
The DOH is leveraging cutting-edge technology, including ultra-portable AI-powered chest X-rays and WHO-recommended Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT), to streamline TB screening and diagnosis. These innovations are coupled with an all-oral regimen for drug-resistant TB, significantly reducing treatment duration from two years to just six months while boosting treatment success rates. This comprehensive approach is further bolstered by the integration of care services in DOH-governed BUCAS centers and primary care facilities under local government units (LGUs).
Prevention efforts are also being strengthened through the introduction of shorter Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) regimens and contact investigation, resulting in a remarkable 50% increase in TPT enrollment in 2024. TPT has been expanded to cover contacts of drug-resistant TB cases and is now under advanced programmatic implementation. Additionally, children with non-severe drug-susceptible TB are receiving shortened treatments, reducing the duration from six to four months using the 2HRZE/2HR regimen.
The DOH is also expanding its reach through community-based health education caravans, including the TPTodo campaign, which emphasizes the importance of taking TPT and recognizing the benefits of early care. This comprehensive national effort is guided by the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB 2023–2035), a multisectoral framework that unites government agencies, civil society, and private partners in the shared goal of eliminating TB by 2035.
The WHO's Acting Representative to the Philippines, Dr. Eunyoung Ko, highlights the global significance of these efforts, stating, 'Tuberculosis is a global challenge, and progress in any country means bringing the world closer to ending the disease.' The Philippines' commitment to this cause is evident, with an estimated 10.7 million TB cases globally in 2024, 6.8% of which occurred in the Philippines, equivalent to 625 Filipinos developing TB per 100,000 population. Despite being a leading cause of death in the country, with an estimated 98 Filipino lives lost daily, the DOH and WHO remain steadfast in their collaboration, aiming to curb transmission, improve treatment outcomes, and ultimately end TB in the Philippines by 2030.
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