Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free Philippines

Every day, more than 60 people die due to tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines. This daily tragedy endures even though TB is entirely curable. Moreover, the number of Filipinos who develop active tuberculosis every year has not changed in more than a decade.

Today, March 24, is World TB Day. It is a day to commemorate the people who are affected by TB and those who have lost their lives due to this disease. It is also a time to reflect on what we can do to end the TB epidemic.

At any given point in time, over one million Filipinos have active TB. In addition, 573,000 people develop TB every year, with males being affected three times more than females. Yet, only about half of all active TB patients are diagnosed, treated and notified. The remaining half may not even know that they have TB because they may have only mild or slightly unusual symptoms. These patients may continue to suffer and spread TB without even knowing.

The solution for a TB-free Philippines is already known: it is a combination of early detection and uninterrupted treatment. The best way to detect TB is through X-ray screening followed by bacteriological confirmation, preferably using a rapid molecular test. The government is taking strong steps to provide greater access to TB screening and testing. The best way to treat TB is to give quality-assured drugs to TB patients without interruption for six to nine months. Because interrupted treatment often makes the disease incurable, the government is designing new approaches and technologies, including digital apps, to ensure zero interruptions. Achieving a TB-free Philippines

Turn to page 12