The Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT), in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID), conducted its 18th Annual Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Quezon City last August 18-19, 2011.

Dr. Enrique T. Ona, the Secretary of Health delivered the keynote address.

The theme of the two-day event, "Beyond TB Control: Bridging the Gaps" identified the areas in local TB control that needed to be expanded, strengthened or sustained to meet the program targets for 2015 and beyond.

Below are some of the topics discussed at the convention:

CURRENT STATE OF TB CONTROL IN THE WORLD AND IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION

Speaker: Dr. Nobuyuki Nishikiori

CURRENT STATE OF TB CONTROL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Speaker: Rosalind G. Vianzon, MD

PHILHEALTH UPDATES

Speaker: Giovanni M. Roan, MD

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS IN TB INFECTION CONTROL

Speaker: Max Meis

CHILDHOOD TB: WHAT ARE THE GAPS AND CHALLENGES IN MANAGEMENT?

Speaker: Cleotilde H. How, MD

BURDEN AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF TB IN CHILDREN

Speaker: Salvacion R. Gatchalian, MD

CATCHING TB CASES IN THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS

Speaker: Mariquita J. Mantala, MD

INSTALLING A DOTS REFERRAL SYSTEM IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS: DIFFERENCES AND CHALLENGES

Speaker: Lalaine L. Mortera, MD

INSTITUTIONALIZING A CULTURE OF QUALITY IN PRIVATE LABORATORIES DOING DSSM

Speaker: Leila M. Florento, PhD

INTENSIFIED TB CASE FINDING AMONG SMOKERS

Speaker: Liza Llanes-Garcia, MD

VALUE OF TB CONTACT INVESTIGATION

Speaker: Lorelie Averilla, MD

EMERGING ROLE OF PHARMACY IN TB CONTROL

Speaker: Marilyn Tiu, RPh

TB IN MANGYANS

Speaker: Fe L. Nocete, MD