Patient-Centered TB Regimens Highlighted During
2023 PHILCAT Convention

The 29th Annual convention of the Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) organized by the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists, Inc. (PAPP) was held on 17-18 August 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas Center, Quezon City with the theme, “TB Elimination: A Commitment to our Nation”, and with the main objective of empowering each participant to be champions in the fight against TB. Newly appointed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, graced the PhilCAT convention expressing full support to further decrease tuberculosis cases in the country. He emphasized in a statement that the DOH shall ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare services towards realizing Universal Healthcare (UHC). The convention was attended by around 1300 participants from all over the country. 

During the event, Dr Mamel Quelapio did a plenary presentation on the WHO-recommended shortened regimens for both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB.  A luncheon symposium was held to hear the experience of other countries on BPaL implementation. Facilitated by LIFT-TB Philippines,  the resource speakers were Dr. Salah Foraida, Senior Director, Medical Affairs - TB Alliance, who lectured on a consolidation of experience from BPaL LIFT-TB operational research from participating countries;  Dr. Francesca Conradie, Deputy Executive Director, Clinical HIV Research Unit at Wits health consortium, South Africa on “Managing adverse events in relation to the BPaL regimen”, and Dr. Nataliia Lytvynenko Head of the DR-TB Research Department, National Institute of Phthisiology and Pulmonology (NIPP), Kyiv, Ukraine on the “Ukraine country experience.”  The session concluded with an interactive panel discussion on the topics moderated by Dr Quelapio.  

LIFT-TB is supported by TB Alliance, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, International Tuberculosis Research Center, and the Tropical Disease Foundation.