Ambassador Endo Kazuya signed and exchanged notes with United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Geneva Office Director Andrew Kirkwood pertaining to the granting of aid to enhance tuberculosis (TB) screening in remote areas in the Philippines.
The Philippines is classified as a high-burden country for TB by the World Health Organization (WHO), and approximately 739,000 Filipinos were estimated to have developed TB in 2023. In response, the Government of Japan is extending grant assistance amounting to JPY370 million (PHP141 million) to support the country’s efforts in addressing this public health challenge.
Through this initiative, Japan will provide 20 ultraportable X-ray units equipped with computer-aided diagnosis (AI-CAD) technology to provincial health offices serving geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). This will provide more individuals with opportunities for screenings, and contribute to strengthening TB screening capacity in GIDAs and facilitating early detection and timely treatment.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Endo highlighted over 30 years of support from Japan to the Philippine government in the fight against TB. He added that as a committed neighbor and partner, Japan will continue to support efforts to achieve a TB-free Philippines through this project.
The project will be implemented by the Stop TB Partnership, a global initiative hosted by UNOPS, and in close coordination with the DOH. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa was also present to witness the signing ceremony.
