The Tropical Disease Foundation Inc. (TDF) LIFT-TB Philippines Project, in collaboration with the Disease Prevention Bureau (DPCB) of the Department of Health, organized a three-day workshop which focused on sustainable and integrated TB care held at Midas Hotel, Pasay City on 4-6 November 2025. The event also marked the official closeout of the LIFT-TB (Leveraging Innovation for Faster Treatment of Tuberculosis) project and brought together national and regional health leaders, consisting of TB Medical Advisory Committee (TBMAC) representatives, CHD coordinators, TB technical specialists, and partners to share updates and insights on TB within the context of a sustainable and integrated care.
Day 1 was a commemoration of achievements made by the LIFT-TB Philippines Project and partners. The workshop opened with remarks from Dr. Gerard Belimac, Director III, DPCB, and and a background by Dr. Mamel Quelapio, LIFT-TB Consultant on the determinants and risk factors for TB in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key sessions of the Workshop included an update of the drug-resistant TB program in the country, including the scale up of the novel drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) regimen (BPaLM/BPaL) by National TB Program Manager, Dr. Charisse Malbacias; drug safety update by Mr. Carlo Rein Fernandez of the Pharmaceutical Division; and a symbolic hand-over of the technical material from the LIFT-TB team consisting of new job aids and educational videos on active TB drug safety monitoring; and an in-depth orientation and workshop on the updated DR-TB Treatment Card led by Mr. Marvin Apas, Project Coordinator, DOH-DPCB. Heartfelt appreciation messages were delivered by Dr Flores, Principal Investigator of the BPaL operational research, Dr Quelapio and a virtual message from TB Alliance Market Access Director Ms. Maria Diachenko for DPCB and partners on the project closeout. The Workshop was jointly moderated by Dr Mamel Quelapio and Dr Irene Flores.
Days 2 and 3 featured a series of sessions on Integrated and Sustainable TB Care, highlighting the need for broader, long-term health and social systems, including the following:
- Universal Health Care (UHC) and Social Protection session: UHC by Dr. Lester Tan, Director IV, CHD-National Capital Region; Catastrophic Cost by Dr. Malbacias; Social Protection Mapping by Mr. Edwin Morata, Social Welfare Specialist from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and a Social Protection panel discussion moderated by Dr. Clarissa Halum of WHO-Philippines, with Mr. Morata and Dr. Jehremias Florante, Senior Occupational Health Officer from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), joined by local health leaders from the region and LGU.
- TB and Mental Health session by Dr. Constantine Della, Professor, UP-PGH and Dr. Paul Kenny Ko, Medical Officer III of DOH-DPCB and case presentation by Dr Alimar Nassaie, regional TBMAC Chair, Central Visayas.
- TB and Diabetes session: by Dr. Carolyn Montano on global and local policy updates and Dr. Jimmy Aragon on the clincal aspects and FAQs, both endocrinologists at Makati Medical Center, and case presentation by Dr Gail Anne Madalag, regional TBMAC chair, Negros Island Region.
- TB and Paragonimiasis: an interesting discussion on the re-emerging disease that mimics TB by Dr. Vicente Belizario, Former Dean UP-College of Public Health, Manila and Dr. Cristy Andaya, Medical Officer IV, CHD 4B on the regional initiatives to address the clinical dilemma.
- TB and Hypersensitivity session: by Dr. Maico Agcaoili-de Jesus, Allergist and Immunologist, UP-Phil General Hospital on the different peresentations of hypersensitivity from TB medicines, and case presentation by Dr. Guy Calapis, regional TBMAC Chair, NCR-South.
- TB and Nutrition: by Dr. Annabel Baddeley, Technical Officer of WHO-HQ/Geneva, on the global policy update, complemented by local insights from Dr. Kathleen Joy Fabular, Medical Officer III, DOH-DPCB and Dr. Glyzelle Lagason, Junior Investigator, TB HIV Innovations Center (THINCR), followed by a case presenation by Dr Flores with inputs from Dr Anjanette de Leon, Pediatric Pulmonologist and Critical Care Specialist, Lung Center of the Philippines.
The Workshop concluded with a synthesis of learnings and next steps by Dr. Malbacias, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Julius Lecciones, Executive Director of TDF.
This workshop underscored the Philippines commitment towards a holistic, patient-centered approach to TB care-one that integrates key factors and determinants of TB. The collaborative spirit and actionable insights shared over the span of three days hope to strengthen an integrated and sustainable TB care in the country’s fight against the disease, leading to improved outcomes and quality of life for afflicted patients.
Highlights (Clockwise, L-R): Symbolic turnover of job aids and video materials from LIFT-TB to DPCB, Workshop on the new DR-TB treatment card, TB and Nutrition session resource speakers, and Panel discussion on social protection initiatives for TB patients
