OR sites recognized for their contribution to BPAL
operational research
Celebrating the success of the BPaL Operational Research, the twelve OR sites namely the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Dr Jose N Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (DJNMRH), Jose B Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBL), Ilocos Training and Research Medical Center (ITRMC), Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), Batangas Medical Center (BatMC), Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Service Cooperative (SMMGHHSC), Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), Eversley Childs Sanitarium (ECS), Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) were recognized for their invaluable contribution to the advancement of knowledge regarding patient-centered regimens through the BPaL operational research. Jointly organized by the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Inc (PBSP), the event was held at the Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay, Paranaque City on 13 December 2023 and attended by 81 participants including OR site staff, Research Team, TB Medical Advisory Committee officers, CHD coordinators and local partners. This was also attended virtually by international partners.
The event was opened by Ms Leilani Naval (TDF Vice-president for Operations and LIFT-TB Project Team Lead) and Dr Ray Cho (LIFT-TB Project Team Lead, International Tuberculosis Research Center, Korea). Dr Nikka Hao delivered the keynote message on behalf of the Department of Health. Dr Mamel Quelapio (LIFT-TB Consultant, TBA, KNCV), Dr Irene Flores (Principal Investigator) and Ms Louie Teng (President, TB People Philippines) discussed the journey of BPaL from research to program, the BPaL OR achievements, and partner engagement, respectively.
All the 12 OR sites were given plaques of appreciation to formally recognize their efforts leading to the OR’s success. Three OR sites, namely JBL, SMMGHHSC and ECS were awarded plaques of recognition for having the most number of cases enrolled. Moreover, the Research Team headed by Dr Irene Flores, Principal Investigator, was acknowledged for their hard work and dedication in managing the OR which was also instrumental in bringing fruition to the OR’s achievements. The awarding was followed by words of appreciation from a BPaL graduate and partners including TB People Philippines, National TB Reference Laboratory, PBSP, Research Team, LIFT-TB and KNCV. To close the event, Dr Vincent Balanag (LCP Executive Director) and Ms Maria Diachenko (Senior Manager, TB Alliance) expressed their collective appreciation to the OR sites and partners in bringing the OR to success.
LIFT-TB is supported by TB Alliance in partnership with KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, International Tuberculosis Research Center, and the Tropical Disease Foundation, Inc.
