Breaking Barriers: USAID, Yayasan Project Hope, and ASSIST launch TB MIND Asia– integration of Mental Health to TB care

Manila City, Philippines - March 25, 2024 - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Asia has a record of one of the highest Tuberculosis (TB) burden. Studies revealed that the Philippines is placed 4th among all Asian countries with an increasing number of TB cases. This becomes a risk factor to the prevalence of depression in TB patients. Despite the measures made on amplifying the importance of mental health (MH) services in the country, there is still an existing gap in the accessibility nationwide.

In efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector, USAID and Yayasan Project Hope partnered with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) to establish TB MIND Asia as an initiative to integrate MH services into TB care.

TB MIND Asia successfully launched its initiative on March 15, 2024, at Dusit Thani, Makati City. The event marked a significant step towards healthcare solutions. By bringing together representatives from government entities, TB and MH services, as well as community and civil society organizations, TB MIND Asia aims to establish evidence-based practices that can be adopted globally.

Distinguished attendees including Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Enrique Tayag, Pulmonologist, Dr. Nina Marnie Beltran-Yap, Neurologist and Psychiatrist, Dr. Joseree Ann Catindig, and TBPeople PH Founder, Eloisa Zepeda-Teng, participated in a panel discussion during the event

The discussion mainly circulated on the project’s objectives and its potential impact on public health. The panelists also touched on the point of view of TB patients and how they go through the stages of grief which can affect their mental health. "I'm sure it's a matter of give-me-answers and not fears, because fear makes me want to stop breathing," Eloisa Zepeda-Teng says as she shares her own story as a former TB patient.

According to Dr. Beltran-Yap and Dr. Catindig, the pandemic affected the surge on the number in TB cases that have been co-existent with cases of depression. Dr. Catindig highlights the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, wherein doctors must go beyond the boundary of the support system, “You are not doing it for them, but you are doing it with them.” she said.

Usec. Tayag emphasized that the project provides another lens into the pressing topic of MH management and TB care integration. “We want to focus our efforts in significantly contributing to the global goal of fighting tuberculosis,” he stated. According to Usec. Tayag, it would take around three years to determine if the Philippines has reached the goal while benchmarking other countries. He assured that DOH will work together with other organizations to help make a change. "Sa bagong pilipinas, bawat buhay ay mahalaga.” 

ASSIST Executive Director, Francis Macatulad, shared that with the statistics provided, health issues for TB and MH in the Philippines are too big for anyone to be resolving on their own. “We believe TB MIND Asia, is an important and groundbreaking project because it is an attempt to integrate Mental Health into Tuberculosis care in the Philippines and other Asian countries. It will serve as a template for the education and healthcare sectors. We also hope to help resolve mental health issues and amplify wellness nationwide." Francis mentioned, as he ends the panel discussion with a call to action.

Stakeholders such as representatives from World Health Organization (WHO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), LGU of Parañaque City, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Our Lady Fatima College, other NGOs and private organizations from the healthcare industry also attended the event to advocate for the project goal.