TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening | Year 4 Quarter 3 Report (Apr to Jun 2021)

The project aims to strengthen health systems and improve tuberculosis (TB) control in the Philippines. Key objectives include increasing TB case detection, improving treatment outcomes, and enhancing health system capacity. Implementation focused on three main objectives: Reach TB, Cure TB, and Strengthen Health Systems. Reach TB aimed to increase TB case detection through intensified case finding (ICF) and active case finding (ACF) activities. Cure TB focused on improving treatment outcomes through the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy and the use of GeneXpert MTB/RIF for rapid diagnosis. Strengthen Health Systems involved capacity building for health care providers, improving laboratory networks, and enhancing health information systems. Key achievements for the quarter include the implementation of ICF and ACF activities in 66 FAST Plus Level 3 hospitals in the National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A. The performance status of ICF in Batangas Medical Center and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center showed a significant increase in TB case detection. ACF activities in CiTEC also demonstrated improved performance. TB Roadmap Indicators for Reach TB showed a 15% increase in TB case detection compared to the previous quarter. Cure TB indicators revealed a 12% increase in treatment success rates. Strengthen Health Systems indicators showed a 20% increase in the number of health care providers trained on TB diagnosis and treatment. Key challenges and proposed solutions include addressing private sector engagement, environmental compliance, and civil society organization engagement. The project also faced challenges in implementing the Optimized Specimen Referral System (OSRS) and the Integrated Tuberculosis Information System (ITIS). Collaboration, learning, and adapting activities included coordination and collaboration with implementing partners, learning and dissemination activities, and adaptive management. The project also conducted training of trainers (TOT) and technical assistance (TA) to support health care providers in implementing TB control activities. Management, administrative, and financial issues included updates on the project's financial status and pipeline analysis for FY 2021. The project burn rate for FY 2021 was also reported. High-level planned activities for the next quarter included the implementation of the TB Platforms for Sustainable Detection, Care, and Treatment (Project) and the Enhancing Hospital Networks and Communities to End TB (ENHANCE) project. The project also planned to conduct a midterm evaluation and review of the project's progress.