• Philippines

08 Jul • Philippines

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_tabs style=”boxed”][vc_tab title=”Updates from the Field” tab_id=”b4a25878-b79c-0″]

[/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Background” tab_id=”7165f803-b284-4″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”783″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1533426383895{padding-bottom: 32px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The Philippines is missing more than 41% of its 573,000 people estimated to have developed drug-sensitive TB in 2016. During the same year, more than 82% of its 30,000 people estimated to have developed drug-resistant TB were also missed by the health system.

To find more of its missing people with TB, the Philippines is implementing a three-throng approach. The country is planning to procure 280 GeneXpert/Omni machines for rural health units, health centers and DOTS facilities across the country, as a way to optimize the utilization of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF. This move will support the transition from smear microscopy to GeneXpert as the primary diagnostic tool for TB in the Philippines. The country is also expanding systematic screening of high-risk groups, notably through systematically screening congregate settings, urban poor and contacts in sites with a high population/TB burden. Moreover, engagement of private health care providers is being strengthened, particularly through engaging stand-alone physicians and those affiliated with hospitals, along enforcing compliance with the mandatory TB case notification policy of the Philippines.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tab][/vc_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]