I first met Dr. Thelma Tupasi when I was a Field Epidemiology Trainee and I had to investigate a meningococcemia outbreak. The case was admitted at Makati Medical Center and I had to interview Dr. Tupasi. She was strict. But this impression changed when I joined the TB Program again and was involved in the implementation of the Global Fund grant that was led by TDF. She may be strict but she is also concerned of your being. She would engage you in small conversations asking on how are you aside from work when you chance to sit beside her during meetings, workshops or other NTP activities.
I admire the work ethics of Dr. Tupasi. She is always passionate with what she is doing. She wants things to start on time especially meetings. She does things promptly and with quality. Mabilis magtrabaho. She would always want you to learn something in things that you do. She is a great teacher.
As a Program manager of the NTP, I would like to say thank you to Dr. Tupasi for providing us with evidences that helped the Program designed its strategies to address the challenges of TB. As a researcher, she has led the conduct of the 1997 and 2007 National TB Prevalence Surveys. The latest research conducted by TDF was the Loss to Follow- up study among Drug Resistant TB cases. The findings of this study is usually quoted and has served as a guide on how we should provide quality TB care for Drug resistant TB patients. Many researchers have inquired on who did the study and how the study was done.
Dr. Tupasi is a visionary. She started the initiative to address drug resistant TB during the time when the guidance of the World Health Organization was to prioritize drug susceptible TB cases only. TDF was the first facility to be approved by the Green Light Committee to address Drug Resistant TB. This moved placed the country and the Program in the map of WHO. Dr. Tupasi also pioneered the application for the Global Fund grant. TDF was the first Principal Recipient in the country for the 3 grants - TB, HIV and Malaria. Up to the present we still have the Global Fund grant. Thank you very much Dr. Tupasi, for up to now we are enjoying the fruits of your labor and of your dreams.