Rapid DS-TB and DR-TB Assessment Survey Final Report

Childhood TB notification also declined, with a 30% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019. The Philippines' National Strategic Plan (NSP) and TB policies are generally aligned with the UNGA/HLM on TB key targets for 2022. TB screening methods used in the Philippines include symptom screening, chest X-ray, and screening of groups at high risk for TB. GeneXpert, LPA, and drug sensitivity testing are the most commonly used confirmatory tests for RR-TB. Purified protein derivative (PPD)/tuberculin skin test and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) are the available LTBI tests in the country. The DR-TB treatment regimens commonly available in the Philippines for adults and children under programmatic conditions are the all-oral standard short regimen with BDQ and the all-oral longer regimen. TPT enrollment among children under five years old decreased in 2020, with a 40% decrease compared to 2019. The national recording and reporting for TB have paper-based and digital components, with no stockouts of second-line drugs (SLDs) for TB in the last 12 months. Facility-level Rapid DS-TB and DR-TB Assessment revealed that most facilities used GeneXpert for screening and testing, but the number of people screened and tested declined in 2020 compared to 2019. Most facilities access GeneXpert to detect RIF resistance but few have access to DST for other FLDs and SLDs. TB/HIV testing was a highly variable practice among the health facilities, with the PPD/tuberculin test being the most available test for LTBI in the health facilities. The average time for treatment initiation after confirmation of a DR-TB case was three to seven days, with most facilities providing comprehensive adherence support to their patients and monitoring daily drug intake digitally. People enrolled on TPT declined substantially in 2020 compared to 2019, with one-fifth of facilities experiencing TB drug stockouts in the past 12 months. Less than half of the facilities use a digital stock monitoring system. The Philippines' National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) has implemented various strategies to improve TB case detection and treatment outcomes. The NTP has established a network of TB diagnostic centers and treatment facilities, and has implemented a system for monitoring and evaluating TB treatment outcomes. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB preventive treatment (TPT) for individuals at high risk of developing TB. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB/HIV co-infection, which includes testing for HIV among TB patients and providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) to HIV-positive TB patients. The NTP has also implemented a program for contact investigation, which includes testing for TB among contacts of TB patients and providing treatment to those who are infected. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB drug safety monitoring, which includes monitoring for adverse events associated with TB medications and providing support to patients who experience adverse events. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB information system, which includes collecting and analyzing data on TB cases and treatment outcomes. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB training and capacity building, which includes providing training to healthcare workers on TB diagnosis and treatment and providing support to healthcare facilities to improve their capacity to provide TB services. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB research and development, which includes conducting research on new TB diagnostic and treatment technologies and developing new TB policies and guidelines. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB advocacy and communication, which includes raising awareness about TB among the general public and providing support to patients and their families to improve their understanding of TB and its treatment. The NTP has also implemented a program for TB partnership and collaboration, which includes working with other organizations and stakeholders to improve TB services and outcomes.