MANILA -- Tuberculosis (TB) cases in the Philippines surged in 2023, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said during a regional high-level meeting in Pasay, in collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A total of 612,000 TB cases were reported in 2023. 

This is equivalent to approximately 549 cases per 100,000 population, marking an increase from 439 cases per 100,000 in 2022.

"The low income households have four families in one household. And with one person with TB, that's what we got, we tripled our TB before and after COVID," Herbosa said.

He stressed the importance of seeking prompt X-ray and molecular confirmation for individuals with symptoms, emphasizing the critical need for timely medication.

Highlighting the stigma surrounding TB, Herbosa noted, "It is a disease that people are afraid of or they hide it so we have a lot of latent TB, so they know they have TB but they don't go for treatment and they disappear from treatment because they are embarrassed."

Dr. Lucia Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, emphasized the urgency to address TB, stating, "Tuberculosis – which is airborne – is not receiving as much attention as COVID-19. We're all at risk, regardless of color or religion."

Regarding technological advancements, Herbosa mentioned, "We have ultra-portable X-rays with artificial intelligence (AI). We go to remote areas carrying an X-ray in a backpack about the size of a camera."

Herbosa also discussed improvements in treatment, stating, "There are newer drugs with shorter therapy, and the new TB vaccine which should be out in the market by 2028."

The Department of Health (DOH) received a donation from South Korean company SD Biosensor, consisting of eight RT-PCR cartridge machines capable of conducting various tests for infectious diseases, including TB.

The DOH also showcased a mobile van equipped with portable X-rays for lung screening, demonstrating its commitment to expanding access to healthcare services.

"We have ultraportable X-ray with artificial intelligence. We go to remote areas carry an x-ray in a backpack about the size of a camera," Herbosa said.

Dara Kelleher, Director of Business Development at Qure.AI, a leading AI technology provider for medical imaging, explained how the X-ray works.

"Two years ago in 2021, the WHO recommended chest X-ray as a screening tool with artificial intelligence in place of human readers… Digital X-ray and even analog X-rays can be interpreted by AI software very quickly in a matter of 10 seconds."

"The paper can be printed with the interpretation. This is really becoming accessible...You don't even have to have a doctor there," he added.

Acknowledging the endemic nature of TB in the Philippines, Herbosa underscored the goal of achieving a 100 percent diagnosis rate for those affected, in alignment with the global initiative to end TB by 2030.