In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced on Tuesday that the Department of Health (DOH) is intensifying its efforts to combat tuberculosis by implementing innovative strategies.
Addressing the press at Malacañang, Herbosa revealed, “Upon my appointment last month, one of the President’s key directives to me was to tackle the issue of TB.” He emphasized that the Philippines remains one of the leading countries grappling with a high burden of tuberculosis, currently ranking fourth globally. Despite previously declining to the ninth position, the country has experienced a resurgence in TB cases.
Herbosa attributed the increased incidence of TB during the COVID-19 pandemic to individuals removing their masks within their households, despite adhering to strict outdoor masking protocols.
The DOH has observed a rise in TB case detection, which Herbosa considers to be a normal outcome. As a result, the department anticipates identifying new cases and will continue providing treatment to those infected.
To encourage patient compliance, the DOH has devised a new approach for the next three months: shortening the treatment duration to four months instead of the previous six to nine months. Herbosa explained, “We have reduced the treatment duration for regular TB cases, while maintaining a six-month treatment for those with multiple drug resistance. Additionally, we have begun implementing artificial intelligence (AI) diagnosis using radiology, where computer-based analysis assists in determining the presence or absence of TB.”
Furthermore, the DOH aims to implement a video-assisted directly observed therapy short course (DOTS) to eliminate the need for patients to visit health centers daily for several months. This measure intends to address the issue of patients dropping out of the program once they feel better and exhibit no symptoms.
Herbosa emphasized the importance of improving health literacy and combating the social stigma associated with seeking treatment at TB centers. By addressing these factors, the DOH hopes to reduce the number of TB cases in the Philippines significantly.
Assuring the public, Herbosa stated that the country has an ample supply of TB medicines, and any delays in deliveries caused by logistical challenges are being promptly addressed by the Department.
Considering the country’s population, which stands at around one million Filipinos infected with TB, Herbosa acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge and emphasized the need for decisive action.
