Culion Foundation’s TB-Active Case Finding in Catanduanes: Overcoming Island Challenges for Public Health

In the third quarter of 2022, the Culion Foundation, in collaboration with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Department of Health (DOH), launched a critical TB-Active case finding initiative in the island province of Catanduanes. This project targeted vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people living with HIV (PLHIV), other immunocompromised individuals, smokers, and those displaying TB-related symptoms. Despite facing challenges due to the island’s geography and its susceptibility to typhoons, the initiative successfully screened 2211 individuals, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to improving public health. By screening 2211 individuals from vulnerable groups, the initiative identified presumptive TB cases and referred them for further evaluation and treatment, contributing to early detection and containment of the disease. The initiative’s impact extended beyond the numbers, as it fostered a sense of community ownership and collaboration in addressing public health challenges.