Annually celebrated every March 24, World TB Day commemorates the discovery of the TB bacillus by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882, which eventually paved the way to the diagnosis and cure of this deadly disease.

This year’s local theme, “STOP TB: Kaya mo, Kaya ko” is the continuation of the two-year campaign that was initiated in 2008 to empower individuals who have taken part and contributed in the fight against TB. It is about celebrating the lives and stories of every person affected by TB including patients, health workers, researchers, teachers, scientists and community workers who contributed towards the global fight against tuberculosis.

The main objective of this event is to raise the level of awareness of the general public about the symptoms of TB and where to seek quality TB care and mobilize partners from both public and the private sectors to participate in TB prevention and control.
The Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and Center for Health Development-National Capital Region has planned on a month-long media exposure through radio, TV guestings, short film festival with the predominant subject of Tuberculosis giving a positive, constructive and enlightening outlook. This year’s host is the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) competently organized by the head of UST PPMD DOTS Unit and presently PhilCAT board of director, Dr. Jose Hesron D. Morfe.

The main event will be held at the Plaza Mayor, UST Grounds, España, Manila commencing with a 10-km fun run to be led by Ms. Joy Rojas, a former TB victim, who survived and became the first Filipina to run across the Philippines. A unique festive parade will follow where all participating groups and organizations are enjoined to come in their most creative costumes, props and other publicity stunts that would distinctly identify the group and make an impact on the crowds. Various stakeholders comprised by the local government unit of Manila, health officials, health workers, local TB coalition and the community gather round with the same objective of stopping TB. A press conference will proceed after the program in the afternoon at the Benavidez Cancer Institute auditorium.

The 5th Philippine Partnership Forum to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria will follow at 1:30-6:00PM at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) organized by the Tropical Disease Foundation. This forum carries the theme “The BIG THREE: Partnerships in Pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals” and aims to: 1) update partners on the accomplishments/status of initiatives on AIDS, TB and Malaria; 2) strengthen collaborative efforts in the fight against the 3 diseases; and 3) introduce new partnerships and endeavors on AIDS, TB and Malaria. The keynote address will be given by Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, followed by several important messages from the WHO, DOH, the TDF. GFATM Fund Portfolio Manager, Ms, Inga Olesky, will grace the occasion, as well as an international TB advocate, Romel Lacson, Founder of the Amaya-Lacson TB Photovoice Project.

Through everyone’s untiring endeavor done in the spirit of partnership, without doubt we can all certainly put a stop to the much-dreaded problem of tuberculosis.