In celebration of the #WorldTBDay, the USAID’s TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening (TBIHSS) Project, as managed by FHI 360 in the Philippines, led the ceremonial launch of the TB Care in Full Circle for the Integrated Delivery of Tuberculosis Services (iDOTS) Phase 2. This simultaneous launch was held on March 21 and 23, 2023 in La Union, Sorsogon, Negros Occidental, and Agusan del Norte in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Centers of Health Development (CHD) Ilocos, Bicol, Western Visayas, and CARAGA. The launch was participated by more than 800 participants from various agencies and organizations.

CHD Bicol Regional Director Dr. Ernie V. Vera led the ceremonial turnover of the iDOTS Phase 2 together with partners, health advocates, and other stakeholders in Castilla, Sorsogon.

CHD CARAGA Regional Director Dr. Cesar C. Cassion gracing the iDOTS Phase 2 ceremonial launch attended by multisectoral partners in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

The ceremonial launching of iDOTS Phase 2 highlighted the direction undertaken by the Department of Health in integrating DS- and DR-TB services into the basic services of primary care facilities.  It is one of the strategies enumerated in the 2020-2023 Updated Philippine Strategic Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Phase 1 to achieve the program goals of treating at least 43,000 patients with DR-TB and a treatment success rate of 85%. 

Cadiz City Mayor Hon. Salvador Escalante, Jr. graced the iDOTS Phase 2 ceremonial launch in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Agoo, La Union Mayor Hon. Frank O. Sibuma showed support to the launch of the iDOTS Phase 2 in his municipality.

Rallying behind this initiative were the partners from the Department of Health Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DOH-DPCB), stakeholders from the provincial and local government units, program managers and implementers, and identified people with drug-resistant TB who participated in the symbolic handover of iDOTS Phase 2 to the primary care facility.  In addition, plaques of recognition were awarded to the first patients enrolled per each region under the first primary care facility that implemented iDOTS Phase 2.

Mr. Rodolfo Longaquit, Sr., the first ever patient to be enrolled under iDOTS Phase 2 in Western Visayas, received the compiled “Ito Ang Pangako Ko” cards, which signifies the various pledges and commitments of the government, civil society, international development community, and other health advocates in the fight to end the TB epidemic.

Participants and attendees in Agoo, La Union submitting their commitments and promises in the “Ito Ang Pangko Ko” box.

USAID’s TBIHSS Project led the iDOTS Phase 2 ceremonial launch in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

The Electronic Tuberculosis Medical Advisory Committee (eTBMAC), a web-based platform interface with a mobile health application developed by TBIHSS Project together with DOH DPCB and Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service (KMITS), was concurrently launched alongside iDOTS Phase 2. This application is designed to provide evidence-based recommendations to difficult-to-treat and challenging cases of TB from the national and regional TB MAC to the medical frontliners.

Project Name

USAID’s TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening Project

City/Provinces Featured

Ilocos: Municipality of Agoo, La Union
Bicol: Municipality of Castilla, Sorsogon
Western Visayas: Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
Caraga: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

#USAID
#FHI360
#WorldTBDay
#YesWeCanEndTB
#TBCareInFullCircle