In a move to boost the Philippines’ capacity to combat one of its most persistent health challenges, Japan and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have partnered to enhance tuberculosis (TB) screening across the country—underscoring Tokyo’s continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable health development in the Philippines.
The partnership was formalized on October 30, 2025, with Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and UNOPS Geneva Office Director Andrew Kirkwood signing and exchanging notes. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa witnessed the ceremony, marking another milestone in Japan’s decades-long support for the country’s fight against TB.
The Philippines remains among the high-burden countries for tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with an estimated 739,000 Filipinos developing TB in 2023 alone. To address this challenge, the Government of Japan is extending a ¥370 million (approximately ₱135 million) grant to strengthen TB screening and early detection in underserved areas.
Under the project, Japan will provide 20 ultraportable X-ray units equipped with computer-aided diagnosis (AI-CAD) technology developed by Fujifilm. These advanced diagnostic tools will be distributed to provincial health offices serving Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) to improve access to TB screening and facilitate early treatment.
Ambassador Endo highlighted Japan’s over 30 years of cooperation with the Philippine government in the fight against tuberculosis. He reaffirmed Japan’s continued commitment to help realize a TB-free Philippines, emphasizing that this project reflects Japan’s enduring role as a reliable neighbor and partner in promoting public health and human security.