TBpeople Philippines recently took important steps to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) in Tacloban City. Ms. Louie Zepeda-Teng, the president of TBpeople Philippines, went live on RMN Tacloban 99.1 iFM to talk about TB and share the organization’s plans for the city. During the broadcast, Ms. Zepeda-Teng introduced TBpeople Philippines and explained their mission and goals. She provided listeners with basic information about TB, such as its symptoms, how it spreads, and the importance of early detection and treatment. This radio appearance aimed to educate the public about TB and encourage the community to get involved in fighting the disease.

On the same day, the TBpeople Philippines team visited Tacloban City to meet with local health officials. They conducted a courtesy call and site visit to encourage strong relationships and explore future collaborations. The team met with Dr. Danilo S. Ecarma, the Medical NTP Coordinator; Mel-Tirso G. Maravilles, the Nurse NTP Coordinator; Cristy S. Arpon, another Nurse NTP Coordinator; and Martee H. Tingzon, the Medical Technologist NTP Coordinator. During these meetings, they discussed the current state of TB in Tacloban and ways to work together on projects aimed at ending the disease.

A major focus of the visit was the establishment of a City Association of TBpeople Tacloban. This association aims to bring together TB patients, healthcare providers, and community members to support TB prevention and treatment efforts in the city. By creating a collaborative network, TBpeople Philippines hopes to improve access to care and resources for those affected by TB. The organization’s initiatives empower TB survivors to become advocates and leaders, helping to ensure that everyone in Tacloban has the support they need to overcome TB and live healthy lives.