Tuberculosis (TB) experts at the Union World Conference on Lung Health have presented promising new research on the impact of active case finding (ACF) in advancing TB detection across communities in South-East Asia.
Findings from community-based ACF programs in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines highlight innovative approaches, including mobile chest X-ray screening, person-centered care, and partnerships with local leaders to reduce barriers to healthcare access.
In Indonesia, researchers from Consortium Penabulu-STPI, supported by the Global Fund, implemented mobile chest X-ray screenings across four provinces. The initiative identified 570 TB cases among 29,251 screened individuals, thanks to community involvement, weekend schedules, and transportation assistance for those with disabilities.
Betty Nababan, lead researcher, emphasized the importance of engaging local stakeholders: “Increasing community-based active case finding is a key way of empowering the community to end TB in Indonesia.”
Community activists have urged the Global Fund to increase funding for tuberculosis (TB) to at least 33 percent, emphasizing that while TB is a curable disease, it continues to claim many lives.
According to the World Health Organization’s latest report, TB kills over one million people annually, more than any other infectious disease. Each year, an estimated 10.8 million people contract TB, but in 2023, only 8.2 million cases were diagnosed, as per the WHO’s 2024 TB report.
In Vietnam, research by Friends for International TB Relief targeted ethnic minority and remote communities, where healthcare access is often limited. With support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the initiative organized over 140 ACF events across five provinces, resulting in a 37% increase in TB treatment at district units.
“By bringing screening services directly to these communities, we not only detected previously missed TB cases but also ensured access to essential care,” said Thuc Doan Ngo and Andrew Codlin from Friends for International TB Relief.
In the Philippines, researchers focused on person-centered ACF within a poverty alleviation program. Screening efforts in 733 communities led to the diagnosis and treatment of 3,529 individuals who previously lacked access to care. Dr. Melinda Kelly Mijares, lead researcher, highlighted the role of community leaders in building trust and overcoming barriers like stigma and social isolation.
“We recognize the need for collaboration at all levels of the health system to improve care for vulnerable populations,” she said. TB survivor and advocate Eloise Zepeda Tang added, “Educating healthcare providers about community experiences is essential to provide supportive and effective care for all.”
Professor Guy B. Marks, President of the Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, urged governments to prioritize ACF: “Active case finding for TB is one of the most effective ways of breaking the chain of transmission, and sustainable funding for these interventions is crucial to ending the spread of TB worldwide.”
Established in 1920, the Union works globally to end TB and lung diseases, striving to implement knowledge into policy and practice to achieve a world free from these diseases.