Lift-TB Philippines, in Collaboration with
PEERLINC and the DOH-DPCB, Holds a Subnational
DR-TB Training for Regional Coordinators

The Leveraging Innovations for Faster Treatment of TB (LIFT-TB) Philippines, together with the Peer-to-Peer Learning for Innovative Cures (PeerLINC) and the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health (DPCB-DOH), has taken a significant step toward strengthening drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) management in the country. On February 3-7, 2025, the project conducted a Subnational Training for Regional Coordinators aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of regional focal points in the programmatic use of the WHO-recommended short regimen for DR-TB.

Organized by the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) through LIFT-TB and PeerLINC, Dr. Ma. Elizabeth Caluag, DOH-DPCB’s Director III, opened the 5-day training recognizing the significant role of regional coordinators in the national scale-up of the novel all-oral BPaLM regimen.

The activity provided participants with a comprehensive overview of DR-TB concepts and methodologies, lessons learned from the BPaL Operational Research and best field practices and strategies through on-site visits at the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL), TDF and Bangkal Health Center (HC) in Makati City, Cuyegkeng and Dona Marta HCs in Pasay City. Furthermore, the NTP and each region prepared an action plan, under the directive of DOH-DPCB, for local application of the learnings.

The PeerLINC team, composed of Dr Eden Mendoza (Head), Dr Irene Flores (Clinical Consultant), Ms Donna Mae Gaviola (Project Manager), Mr Anthony Geronimo (Laboratory Manager) and Dr Mamel Quelapio (TBA Consultant) served as the main resource speakers during the training, along with Dr Charisse Malbacias (NTP Manager, DOH-DPCB). 

Giving the closing remarks, Dr Rosalind Vianzon, DOH-DPCB TB/HIV Division Chief, emphasized the importance of the training in advancing DOH’s goal in the fight against TB. She encouraged participants to pursue relevant and practical strategies that would ensure sustainability in the long term as they set out to implement their respective action plans.

The event was attended by 30 participants consisting mainly of regional coordinators/technical officers from CHDs, who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to enhance their technical capacity on DR-TB. The training was both didactic and interactive, with participants engaged in group discussions and hands-on activities to develop their skills. Technical materials (DR-TB job aids, Snellen charts – 20 and 10 ft and pain visual analogue for peripheral neuropathy) were given to the participants after the training for further distribution to the ICCs and iDOTS facilities in their catchment areas.

The training is a first-of-its-kind and part of DOH-DPCB’s broader strategy to improve and support the development of its regional counterparts as innovative and competent program managers. With this initiative, the DOH-DPCB aims to advance the knowledge and skills of coordinators so that they are more equipped to address operational challenges as the country scale-up efforts on programmatic DR-TB implementation.

The organizers are grateful for the management and staff of the facilities visited namely NTRL, TDF clinic and laboratory, Cuyegkeng HC, Bangkal HC and Dona Marta HC for warmly accommodating the participants and sharing their best practices and lessons learned to their fellow public servants.

LIFT-TB is supported by TB Alliance, KOICA in cooperation with the Tropical Disease Foundation.