Japan and UNOPS Sign Grant Aid for “The Project for Strengthening Screening System for Tuberculosis in the Remote Areas”

On 30 October 2025, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya signed and exchanged notes with United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Geneva Office Director Andrew Kirkwood for “The Project for Enhancing Tuberculosis Screening in Remote Areas” in the Philippines. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Stop TB Partnership Executive Director Lucica Ditiu were also present to witness the signing ceremony.  
 
The Philippines is classified as a high-burden country for tuberculosis (TB) by the World Health Organization (WHO), and approximately 739,000 Filipinos were estimated to have developed TB in 2023. In response, the Government of Japan is extending grant assistance amounting to three hundred and seventy million Japanese Yen (¥370,000,000) to support the country’s efforts in addressing this public health challenge. Through this initiative, Japan will provide 20 ultraportable X-ray units equipped with computer-aided diagnosis (AI-CAD) technology (product of Fujifilm) to provincial health offices serving Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). To reduce the burden of TB, it is crucial to provide more individuals with opportunities for screenings. This contribution aims to strengthen TB screening capacity in underserved areas, facilitating early detection and timely treatment. 
 
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Endo highlighted over 30 years of support from Japan to the Philippine government in the fight against TB, and expressed that, as a committed neighbor and partner, Japan will continue to support efforts to achieve a TB-free Philippines through this project.

*The project will be implemented by the Stop TB Partnership, a global initiative hosted by UNOPS, and in close coordination with the Department of Health.