The World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis report 2025 that was recently released puts the Philippines as accounting for 6.8 percent of TB cases worldwide, putting it at third in the world behind the 25 percent of India and 10 percent in Indonesia.
Following closely behind are 6.5 percent in China, 4.8 percent in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo at 3.9 percent, and Bangladesh at 3.6 percent.
There were 10.7 million people worldwide who developed TB last year, of which the fatalities reached 1.23 million, according to the report.
In response, the Department of Health said it has allocated P4.2 billion for its TB program in the agency’s proposed 2026 budget. It said it plans to screen 12 million Filipinos nationwide by next year in its efforts to reduce the incidence of TB in the country.
Despite decades of progress and the availability of effective treatment, the country somehow continues to register one of the highest TB burdens in the world. The disease disproportionately affects low-income communities, thrives in overcrowded living conditions, and often goes undiagnosed. While TB is curable, it continues to claim thousands of Filipino lives each year, which are losses that are preventable with stronger, coordinated action.
The government may have taken steps, but the pace of progress is not enough. It must intensify active case finding, improve patient tracking, and ensure consistent drug supply in every region. Equally vital is investing in community health workers who can reach households that formal systems often miss.
The private sector must also recognize that TB is not just a medical issue, but is also an economic one. The disease affects working-age Filipinos, reducing productivity and deepening poverty. Employers should empower workplace TB screening, create supportive leave policies for patients undergoing treatment, and partner with local health units to extend diagnostic and treatment access. Private hospitals and clinics can help close the detection gap by standardizing TB testing protocols and reporting cases promptly.
TB may be centuries old, but the tools to defeat it already exist. With better coordination, sustained funding, and a commitment to reaching the most vulnerable, the country can still turn the tide.*
