With support from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the  Women’s Health Care Foundation (WHCF) is working on the development of a gender-responsive tuberculosis (TB) program to support improved reporting, management, and prevention of TB among communities. 

By conducting the project entitled, “Modelling a Gender Responsive TB Program in the Community: Validation of Gender Responsiveness Standards in TB Prevention and Management,” the research team aims to support local government units (LGUs) in implementing policies and guidelines for TB, help break the stigma on the disease, and promote awareness and proper health-seeking behavior. 

The project is divided into three major phases. First, a qualitative research will be conducted to validate a gender responsive (GR) checklist and evaluate the baseline GR score of the existing TB program. In the second phase, the research team will train city and barangay staff on gender sensitivity and responsiveness. Lastly, the team will present the results from Phase 1 and 2 to community leaders and policymakers for the development of sustainability measures of gender responsiveness. The project, which commenced last June 2022, will complete its first phase of activities by next month. 

Last March 23, 2023, the research team already presented the project’s accomplishments to the Pasig LGU. The team also conducted a poster making competition among high school students in Barangay Santolan and Manggahan in Pasig to facilitate dissemination of accurate gender responsive messages about TB prevention and management with the help of the community.

“The DOST-PCHRD recognizes the critical role of evidence-based policymaking in battling health burdens, such as TB,” DOST-PCHRD executive director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya said. “This initiative is an example of how investing in health research can enable the development of health solutions that are attuned to the needs of our communities and ultimately help them lead better lives,” he added.

The project is funded with a total budget of PhP 4,421,728.80 by the DOST-PCHRD.