USAID donates tools for better TB diagnosis, care in PH

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership, donated a package of tools to the Philippines for better tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, care, and services in the country.

The package, worth P130 million and is part of a global initiative called Introducing New Tools Project (iNTP), consists of eight ultra-portable chest X-ray machines, 38 portable rapid diagnostic machines, Video Observed Treatment for 19,000 TB patients, and short-course medicines for prevention of TB for 30,000 people.

“These tools will bring TB primary care closer and more accessible to people,” said US Embassy Charges d’Affaires Heather Variava. She turned over the iNTP package last November 23 to Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, health promotion director of the Department of Health (DOH), and Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian at a ceremonial event in the city.

In its Global Tuberculosis Report for 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that the Philippines is among the top countries that contributed to the 93% drop in the number of newly diagnosed and reported TB cases. The country also ranked among those with the highest estimated TB incidence for countries with at least 100,000 cases.

DOH, however, noted an increase in the number of new and relapse cases notified to the agency. In a recorded message, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said in the same ceremonial event that the average cases per quarter reached 74,448 this year. According to the National Tuberculosis Control Program, the total drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB cases in 2021 are now at 340,524.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, meanwhile, showed deaths due to TB in January to June 2021 decreased by 24.2% from the same period last year. From the 8th leading cause of death among Filipinos, TB is now the 12th.

Still, WHO called on the countries most affected by the drop in newly diagnosed and reported cases, which includes the Philippines, to urgently mitigate and reverse these impacts. The organization said reduced access to diagnosis and treatment has resulted in an increase in TB deaths.

In the Philippines, the donated package will support TB services in Valenzuela City and the provinces of Tarlac, Bataan, Laguna, Cebu, and South Cotabato. Indonesia, which was also highlighted in the Global TB Report, was also selected to receive iNTP packages, as well as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nigeria, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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