UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
On Aug. 30, 2024, the Tropical Disease Foundation Inc. (TDF) celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Dusit Thani Hotel. As a member of the board of trustees, I was given the privilege of attending the event.
A non-stock, non-profit non-governmental organization, its founders were Drs. Jesus Azurin and Thelma Tupasi, who envisioned it as dedicated to combating infectious diseases of public importance in the Philippines through research, public health initiatives and education. Since then, it has played, and continue to play a crucial role in strengthening health systems and advancing scientific knowledge to improve the quality of life for affected communities.
Dr. Thelma Tupasi was one of the first infectious disease specialists, and we were fortunate enough to have been mentored by her during our medical school days. She was held in very high esteem for her expertise, empathy and leadership.
In 1988, the TDF pioneered TB research with state -of-the-art tools such as the fluorescent sputum smear microscopy, TB culture and drug sensitivity testing. In the same year, it published the first edition of the “Guidelines on Anti-Microbial Therapy” as a vital resource for health care professionals.
1989 marked the expansion of its research portfolio to include leprosy under the leadership of Dr. Roberta Romero, a respected dermatologist. It delved into socio-demographic factors and stigma associated with leprosy, raising awareness to combat stigma.
In the 1990s, the TDF took the lead in clinical trials on a sublingual interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis B, and conducted the second Nationwide TB Prevalence survey that identified high risk areas for improved public health strategies.
Dr. Tupasi’s discovery of the emergence of Multi-Drug Resistant TB, a breakthrough that served as a powerful call to action worldwide and underscoring the urgent need to address drug resistance in the management of TB.
In the new millennium, TDF was given the Outstanding Health Research Award, and paved the way for close collaboration with the DOH National TB Control Program. It established the DOTS Clinic in the Makati Medical Center, which offered free TB management services. The WHO Green Light Committee approved it as the first DOTS-Plus pilot project in managing drug-resistant TB.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria awarded a grant to TDF for 2003-2009 that led to the implementation of extensive programs targeting these diseases. As a result, multiple centers were established for the diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
As a leader in tuberculosis research, TDF spearheaded the third Nationwide Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey in 2007 that was instrumental in shaping the national TB program and guiding TB research. It partnered with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals to develop more effective and shorter TB treatment regimens for patient-centered care.
In 2020, the TDF was selected by LIFT-TB Philippines (Leveraging Innovation for Faster Treatment of Tuberculosis) to introduce the BPaL regimen in an operational research of an innovative short-treatment regimen with minimal drugs.
The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic saw TDF as among the first 50 laboratories in the country to provide RT-PCR testing, playing a crucial role in testing and epidemiology of Covid-19.
With a grant in 2022 from PEPFAR, USAID and Meeting Targets and Maintaining Control Grant in the Philippines, TDF was tasked with enhancing HIV diagnostic services from confirmatory testing to viral load monitoring, addressing delays in diagnostic turnaround that impact timely linkage to treatment.
In July 2023, the TDF launched its new HIV primary care clinic, aptly named The Primary, and its newly licensed HIV Testing Laboratory, designed to cater to HIV patients with utmost care and confidentiality devoid of stigma.
This year, the TDF, in partnership with the TB Alliance and the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH, set up and hosted a knowledge hub, the PeerLINC (Peer-to-Peer Learning for Innovative Cures for TB). It is designed as a model for peer-to-peer learning initiatives and to share experiences in the implementation of new TB treatments. Several countries have sent teams to Peer Linc and it is envisioned that more countries will do so in the future. (See “Good News for Drug-Resistant TB Patients”, April 2, 2024).
The TDF continues its trailblazing efforts in combating infectious disease. There are new projects lined up in collaboration with funding agencies that will set up more TB treatment hubs all over the Philippines. As long as infectious diseases of public importance are around, the Tropical Disease Foundation Inc. will be there to lend a helping hand to our countrymen in need.
The best is yet to come with TDF!
