By Fiona Macintyre
In November 2022, we embarked on a bold journey to advance healthcare in the Philippines through The Philippine Health Breakthrough Project. This initiative, created in partnership with Bridge Institute, set out to make lasting change. Today, one of its most actionable outcomes is The TB Breakthrough Project, which focuses on improving access to care for Filipino communities and advancing health equity across the country.
From its early stages, this project has been about more than just addressing tuberculosis. It’s about building sustainable, community-driven systems that improve healthcare outcomes for generations. This is no small feat—bringing together government agencies, local NGOs, businesses, and community leaders requires deep collaboration and a shared commitment to change.
In December 2024, we gathered with key stakeholders in Manila to reflect on our progress and plan the next phase. These meetings provided critical insights into the challenges we face and the opportunities to make a real impact.
Context of the Challenge
The Philippines faces one of the heaviest TB burdens in the world, ranking fourth globally in TB incidence. In 2021 alone, 741,000 people were estimated to have contracted TB, with 61,000 dying from the disease. Drug-resistant TB is an increasing concern, with nearly 8,000 individuals diagnosed with drug-resistant strains in 2021. Despite efforts to expand rapid diagnostics, geographical access, supply chain challenges, and social stigma continue to prevent many from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment.
Key Themes from Our Journey
Strengthening Local Funding Models
The reliance on international funding has long been a challenge for healthcare projects in the Philippines. Our work highlights the need for more localised funding models through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and blended finance. We’ve had promising conversations with local Foundations, Departments of Health in the region, businesses and the health sectors (public and private) to explore innovative financing strategies that ensure long-term sustainability.
Policy and Governance Advocacy
Achieving systemic change requires close collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs). One of our key learnings is that advocating for inclusive policies and aligning with
Tackling Social Stigma Through Community Engagement
TB remains highly stigmatised, which can prevent early diagnosis and treatment. We’ve engaged with grassroots organisations and creative campaigns like TB Talks to combat this stigma, empowering communities with education and storytelling.
Embracing Technological Innovation
Technology is key to scaling diagnostics and improving treatment outcomes. Tools like Qure.ai, Molbio Truelab and GeneXpert offer tremendous potential for active patient monitoring and early diagnosis. Our focus in the coming year will be on integrating these technologies into local systems and exploring partnerships to reduce costs and expand their use in underserved areas.
The Power of Partnerships
Collaboration lies at the heart of this initiative. We’ve connected with regional and global partners—USAID, ASEAN networks, Novartis, and several family offices—who bring fresh resources and expertise to the table. Moving forward, we’ll continue fostering these relationships to maximise our collective impact.
Looking Ahead
The TB Breakthrough Project is still ongoing, and 2025 will be a pivotal year. We’re set to push for more locally driven solutions, strengthen our policy engagement, and activate stronger partnerships to support sustainable change.
Forming Sustainable Development Foundation remains committed to this work, and I’m incredibly grateful to continue contributing to this journey. It’s inspiring to see how much progress we’ve made, but there’s still so much to do. If you’d like to support us—whether through resources, connections, or funding—please reach out. Together, we can help transform healthcare in the Philippines.