CAPIZ — The Province of Capiz is intensifying its campaign against tuberculosis (TB) through the Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA) Project.
Recognized by the United States Department of State in 2025 as one of only three provinces in Western Visayas to receive the prestigious Tuberculosis Commitment Grant, Capiz continues to strengthen its public health initiatives and community-based interventions against the disease.
Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads through the air when a person with infectious pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, particularly in enclosed and poorly ventilated areas.
In partnership with JSI and under the supervision of the Provincial Health Office headed by Dr. Alex T. Nolasco, the TIFA Project focuses on active case finding, strengthening healthcare services, and improving performance monitoring to support the implementation of the National Tuberculosis Program.
The FiND TB initiative, one of the project’s major components, has already made significant progress during the first quarter of implementation by conducting active case finding activities in all 16 municipalities and the City of Roxas, covering 22 barangays.
Despite operational challenges, the project was able to screen 1,819 individuals, achieving 83 percent of its target.
Capiz also earned recognition from TIFA Technical Advisors for being the first among project sites to efficiently complete the cascade of care performance coverage.
Provincial officials said the achievement reflects Capiz’s commitment to making TB screening and healthcare services more accessible to residents across the province.
With the continued support of the Provincial Government under Gov. Fredenil H. Castro, along with the efforts of healthcare workers, local officials, and community health volunteers, Capiz aims to bring essential tuberculosis services closer to every Capisnon.
Officials said the initiative marks a major step toward improving public health and advancing the province’s goal of achieving a TB-free Capiz./PN
