Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that typically affects the lungs but may affect other parts of the body as well. Although curable, the Department of Health (DOH) said that TB remains one of the 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines.
According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines currently has the highest TB incidence rate in Asia.
To address the global tuberculosis (TB) crisis and target actions, resource mobilization, and advocacy efforts to effectively combat TB on a global, regional, and national scale, the DOH, in collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership, and USAID, hosted a Regional High-Level Meeting from March 14 and 15, 2024.
Outlined in the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) Political Declaration on TB, the active planning of advocacy efforts, with a focus on raising awareness among political leadership and high-level stakeholders regarding the burden of TB and the urgent need for a comprehensive response were on the meeting agenda.
Increased funding
RECOGNIZING the financial challenges in tackling TB, the collaboration strategized on increasing funding from domestic budgets, external financing partners, and innovative financing mechanisms.
This includes exploring sustainable ways to secure the necessary resources for TB prevention and care.
“We live in historical times. Today, in Manila we kicked off the first of six meetings we will host around the world highlighting regional cooperation on TB efforts in countries,” said Stop TB Partnership Executive Director, Dr. Lucica Ditiu.
Dr. Ditiu said that the Philippines and Indonesia are a true inspiration for other countries in the region as well as globally for their high-level political commitment and for the great achievements in the TB response, with “a record number of people with TB having access to diagnosis, treatment, and care in 2022 and 2023, including new tools and international recommendations.”
“We see an incredible ambition from countries, and we see it is feasible to end TB but, unfortunately, our biggest challenge of continuous low levels of funding remains. We must not get discouraged by it. We must not accept the current status quo and we must speak up and remain united more than ever and believe in ourselves. Because yes, We Can End TB!,” added Dr. Ditiu.
Urgent, concerted action
“THE global tuberculosis crisis demands urgent and concerted action. In our pursuit to combat TB on a global scale, we are committed to active advocacy, resource mobilization, and strategic planning. The DOH, together with the Stop TB Partnership, the World Health Organization, the Global Fund, USAID, and TB communities and patient support groups, is resolute in raising awareness among political leaders and stakeholders about the urgency of addressing the TB burden,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
Herbosa said that they acknowledge the resource constraints and, “together, we will explore innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable resources for TB prevention and care.”
Distinguished participants during the event, aside from Herbosa and Dr. Ditiu, include Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Budi Gundadi Sadikin, Vice Minister of Health of Lao, Dr. Phayvanh Keopraseuth, the Undersecretary of State, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia represented by Dr. Mao Tan Eang, and the Assistant Minister for Global Health and Welfare of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan Dr. Eiji Hinoshita.
TB prevention, control
People with TB can help protect other people from getting infected by:
- Following their treatment regimen as directed by the healthcare provider;
- Covering the mouth when coughing, sneezing, or laughing;
- Refraining from coming to school or work until cleared to do so;
- Avoiding close contact with others; and
- Maintaining good ventilation in the room they are staying in.