TBpeople Philippines recently had the opportunity to participate in the Abbott | HIV and Tuberculosis Symposium, held at Novotel Manila Araneta Center. The event brought together leading experts in infectious diseases to discuss advancements in HIV and TB care, and the need for collaborative approaches to address these intertwined epidemics in the Philippines. Here are the key highlights from the symposium.
Keynote Address by Dr. Albert Francis Edralin Domingo, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, delivered the keynote speech, focusing on the current status of the Department of Health (DOH) and future plans to enhance TB and HIV collaboration. Dr. Domingo highlighted the progress made in recent years, while emphasizing the challenges that remain in integrating services for TB and HIV patients. He also outlined strategic plans aimed at bridging these gaps, including improved service delivery, increased awareness, and nurturing collaboration with partner organizations.
Dr. Jan Dio Miguel Dela Cruz, Chief of Medicine at LoveYourself, Inc., presented key insights into the organization’s work in promoting HIV self-testing kits. Dr. Dela Cruz detailed their approach to studying and mobilizing the kits, sharing best practices and recommendations for implementing self-testing at a larger scale. He also explained how LoveYourself, Inc. tailors its communications for different HIV prevention strategies, using their project #WhatWorksForYou. By personalizing communication, they aim to make HIV prevention more accessible and relatable for diverse communities.
Addressing Acute HIV Case Findings and Antimicrobial Stewardship with Dr. Rontgene M. Solante, the Co-chair of the Technical Working Group on the Philippine Framework for Hospital Facility Development Program in Infectious Diseases, provided an in-depth discussion on acute HIV case findings and their importance. He emphasized the critical role that early diagnosis plays in preventing the spread of HIV and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Solante also underscored the importance of diagnosis to support antimicrobial stewardship, stressing that appropriate use of antimicrobials is essential for managing infections effectively and minimizing resistance.
Revolutionizing TB Detection with Dr. Mary Rosary T. Santiago presented on the advancements in TB detection through Urine Lateral Flow Lipoarabinomannan (LF-LAM) testing. LF-LAM has the potential to revolutionize TB detection at the point-of-care, particularly among people living with HIV (PLHIV), who face unique challenges in TB diagnosis. Dr. Santiago shared key challenges involved in diagnosing TB among PLHIV, including clinical, testing, sampling, public health, and access barriers. She also presented success stories from countries such as India, South Africa, Ethiopia, and the Philippines, where LF-LAM testing has made a significant impact.
The symposium concluded with a panel discussion led by Dr. Roland Densen and featuring the symposium speakers. The discussion provided a platform to address pressing questions from the audience, particularly regarding the mobilization and availability of HIV self-test kits. The panelists shared their perspectives on overcoming challenges in HIV testing and improving patient outcomes, with an emphasis on innovative approaches and community engagement.
The Abbott | HIV and Tuberculosis Symposium highlighted the critical importance of integrating TB and HIV services, leveraging innovative diagnostic methods, and strengthening collaborations to provide effective care. TBpeople Philippines remains committed to advocating for better TB/HIV healthcare and will continue working with partners to enhance community awareness and treatment accessibility.