18 Sept 2026 – Launch of VESTT-TB (VMMC Enhanced Screening, Testing, Treatment of TB), funded by the US Government
VMMC Medical Director Peter Paul Galvez marked the Launch of VESTT-TB, acknowledging 80 years of diplomatic relations between the US and the Philippines,
His Excellency, US Ambassador to the Philippines, Lee Lipton greeted the audience with an emphatic statement: “Today is about getting results.” Today, the US provides support to VMMC to strengthen TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
In his response, Secretary of National Defense, Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro expressed hope that these kinds of functional partnership between the two countries having an enhanced relationship continue with purposive results.
In VESTT-TB, the Tropical Disease Foundation proudly partners with VMMC in strengthening the institution’s TB services through intensified case finding using AI-enabled chest x-ray, rapid molecular testing, treatment with the shortest all-oral regimens for TB, and prevention among household contacts. Dr. Roberta Romero, TDF Executive Director and Dr. Mamel Quelapio, VESTT-TB Project Lead, attended the Launch.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LsZMYCRAC/
VMMC Director Galvez highlighted the Philippines as among top 8 countries that account for two-thirds of the global TB burden. We are #3 worldwide, contributing 6.8% of TB cases, following India and Indonesia.
US Ambassador Lipton: “TB remains to be a serious challenge in the Philippines, so we’re bringing together great doctors, strong institutions and very impressive United States technology.”
DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro assured the US Ambassador that these efforts will not go to waste.
TDF Executive Director Dr. Tax Romero and Dr. Mamel Quelapio, VESTT-TB Project Lead with DND Secretary.
With VMMC Director Galvez
Symbolic Handover of US support to the Philippines in VMMC
With QC Health Dept NTP Coordinator Dr. Marizel Wong, USEC Gloria Balboa, Tito Rodrigo from the US department of State and Dr. Francisco Ogsimer, Jr from JSI.
With Dr. Wong and Dr. Chona de Vera, Head of VMMC Pulmonary Department, and VMMC Focal for VESTT-TB
With Dr. Therese Malicse, VMMC DOTS Clinic Physician and Dr. Yunju Ra, President and CEO of Radisen (AI-powered X-ray)
With Dr. Ernesto Bontuyan from the U.S. Department of State and Mr. Tito Rodrigo
