BPAL Operational Research Culminates With
Successful Treatment Outcomes Paving the Way
Towards Hope for More DR-TB Patients

As the BPaL Operational Research (OR) officially draws to a close, the results were shared at the “Dissemination of BPaL OR Findings and Closeout Meeting” held at the Brentwood Suites Hotel in Quezon City on December 12, 2024.  The event was organized by TDF in collaboration with the DOH – Disease Prevention and Control Bureau.  It was participated by OR site doctors and nurses, regional NTP medical and nurse NTP coordinators, national and regional TBMAC representatives and partners.

The program was opened by Dr Julius Lecciones, Executive Director, TDF who expressed appreciation to all those involved in the OR.  Dr Charisse Malbacias, NTP Manager, presented the programmatic management of DR-TB in the country. Dr Mamel Quelapio, KNCV and TBA Consultant recounted the BPaL OR journey in the Philippines. Dr Veriko Mirtskhulava, Senior Epidemiologist, KNCV, shared the results all 7 countries which pilot-tested the OR along under the LIFT-TB Project.  Dr Irene Flores presented the OR’s results focusing on the efficacy and safety of BPaL as a treatment regimen.  Ms Louie Teng, President of TB People Philippines (TBP) presented lessons learned from the community along with 2 TBP members.

The event not only highlighted the success of the OR but also appreciated  all who contributed to its success.  Giving messages of support on behalf of their respective organizations were local and international partners which included DOH-DPCB (Dr Malbacias), TB Alliance, NY (Mr Sandeep Juneja, Senior Vice-president, Market Access), KNCV, Netherlands (Dr Agnes Gebhard, Technical Director), International Tuberculosis Research Center or ITRC, Korea (Ms Stephanie Jung, Head of Global Health Division), World Health Organization – Western Pacific Regional Office (Dr Kyung Oh, Medical Officer),  Jose B Lingad Memorial General Hospital or JBL (Dr Godofredo Hizon, Medical Specialist IV), and Civil Society (Ms Rochelle Ramos, BPaL OR graduate).

Giving their perspective on the challenges and benefits of programmatic implementation from different levels in the network were Dr Angelica Diaz (Head of Infectious Disease Cluster, CHD 3), Dr Sherryl Magayanes (Physician, JBL as an OR site), Mr Nickshon Manlutac (Nurse, Pampanga PHO as an LGU), Mr Louie Sunga (Nurse, Pampanga PHO as an ICC) and Ms Marife Despares (BPaL graduate).

A ceremonial Handover of the DR-TB Job Aids, Snellen Charts and the Visual Analog for peripheral neuropathy  took place from the LIFT-TB Team to the NTP symbolizing the collective commitment to strengthen DR-TB management. Later in the program, plaques of appreciation were presented to the OR partners of TDF and DPCB, namely, the National TB Reference Laboratory, Philippine Business for Social Progress, TB People Philippines, JBL and Lung Center of the Philippines to recognize their invaluable contribution to the OR implementation.

A scientific session followed in the afternoon which included topics covering additional learnings from the OR.  Ms Charlotte Cabalitan, Research Specialist presented the adverse events in the BPaL OR cohort. Mr Earl Mantes, Science Research Specialist, NTRL, gave a presentation on the laboratory aspects in the OR.  Ms Jeam Lopez, Research Specialist, presented the high efficacy of patients with MTB Lineage 1 given BPaL. Dr Mamel Quelapio gave an overview of the 2024 WHO rapid communications on newer DR-TB regimens.

The event concluded with the closing remarks from Dr Quelapio, Dr Flores, and Dr Rosalind Vianzon (TB-HIV Division Chief, DOH-DPCB) thanking all those who have been involved in the OR contributing to its success.