In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Culion Foundation and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) came together to launch their first TB-Active Case Finding (TB-ACF) program in the province of Batangas. Prioritizing high-risk groups, the initiative targeted six barangays in the municipality of San Juan, screening 1,029 individuals in May 2021. Though the number may seem small, the impact of this collaboration was significant, demonstrating the organizations' unwavering commitment to combating tuberculosis and improving community health in the midst of challenging circumstances.
The heart of the initiative lay in the prioritization of high-risk groups. The Culion Foundation and PBSP recognized the importance of focusing on seniors, people living with HIV (PLHIV), immunocompromised individuals, and smokers who are more susceptible to TB. By identifying active TB cases early within these vulnerable populations, the program aimed to curb the spread of the disease and improve overall health outcomes.