WHO, DOH Target 12M Filipinos to be screened for Tuberculosis by 2026; Philippines aims to double budget for TB Services

In the Cordillera Administrative Region, health workers bring AI powered portable X-ray units closer to communities, making it easier to detect and treat tuberculosis early. Credit: DOH Philippines

Under the newly approved Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan Phase 2 (PhilSTEP2) 2025-2030, the Department of Health (DOH) aims to screen twelve million Filipinos nationwide by 2026, developed in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to intensify the country’s efforts against tuberculosis — from prevention to treatment. To expand and accelerate the delivery of TB services, the DOH National Expenditure Program for 2026 proposes a budget of ₱4.2 Billion, which is nearly twice of the ₱2.6 Billion budget in 2025. 

“In the Philippines, we are already using ultra-portable AI-powered chest X-rays and WHO-recommended Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) to quickly screen and diagnose TB cases. We are already using an innovative all-oral regimen for drug-resistant TB, that cuts the treatment from 2 years to only 6 months with a higher treatment success rate. We are integrating the complete cascade of care in DOH-governed BUCAS centers and primary care facilities under LGUs.” said Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa.

Prevention is further strengthened through the roll-out of shorter Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) regimens and contact investigation resulting in more than 50% increase in TPT enrollment in 2024. TPT has likewise been expanded to cover contacts of drug-resistant TB cases and is now under advanced programmatic implementation.

Children with non severe drug susceptible TB are now offered shortened treatment from 6 to 4 months using 2HRZE/2HR regimen. The complete continuum of care for Filipinos affected with TB is provided by the government.

Alongside these efforts, the DOH is broadening social and behavior change communication initiatives that reach every barangay and purok. Community-based health education caravans, including the TPTodo campaign, highlight the importance of taking TPT and recognizing the benefits of seeking early care.

DOH is also leading a comprehensive national effort to end TB through the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB 2023–2035) which provides the multisectoral framework for joint action among government agencies, civil society, and private partners to eliminate TB by 2035.

“Tuberculosis is a global challenge, and progress in any country means bringing the world closer to ending the disease. We know what works, and we’re seeing some encouraging results here in the Philippines,” said Acting WHO Representative to the Philippines, Dr. Eunyoung Ko. “WHO remains steadfast in its support for DOH at the central and sub-national levels. Together, we are strengthening case-finding, getting more people on preventive medicines, and helping people who are infected stick to their treatment plan. Places like Guimaras—which is aiming to become the country’s first TB-free island—are showing what can be achieved.”

In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million TB cases occurred globally, 6.8% of which were in the Philippines. This is equivalent to 625 Filipinos developing TB per 100,000 population. TB remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, claiming an estimated 98 Filipino lives each day, though this also reflects a 3 percent reduction from the previous year. The DOH and WHO reaffirm their commitment to strong multisectoral collaboration and the expansion of TB services to curb transmission, improve treatment outcomes, and move closer to ending TB in the Philippines by 2030.