On June 3, 2024, TBpeople Philippines representatives commenced on a notable journey to Durban, South Africa to participate in the Community Engagement (CE) Forum facilitated by TB Alliance. This forum, held at the Garden Court Marine Parade Hotel in Durban, South Africa aimed to connect and share strategies among global community engagement leaders. Representing TBpeople Philippines were Mr. Allen Joshua Tortosa, Community Engagement Leader; Ms. Kristina Tay, Admin for Community Engagement; and Mr. Joegene Mangilaya, Community Advisor Board Member.
The TBpeople Philippines team was eager to delve into the wealth of knowledge presented at the forum, particularly in understanding and enhancing community engagement strategies. The forum commenced with an in-depth discussion on the NC-009 Clinical Trial. This provided a foundation for sharing insights on global trial updates, perspectives from the site level, the critical role of community engagement, and best practices for clinical trial implementation in 5 countries: Georgia, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Philippine representatives contributed to the discourse by sharing emerging CE practices from Philippines. This exchange of information enriched the understanding of diverse engagement strategies and fostered a collaborative spirit among participants.
Another significant topic discussed was the inclusion of tuberculosis (TB) in research and development R&D, the introduction to GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) and social behavioral research underscored the necessity of inclusive approaches in TB care and treatment in clinical trial.
Participants engaged in an activity centered on identifying key marginalized populations, TB-affected community disabilities, and gender roles in TB care. Each group was tasked with identifying problems and proposing solutions, aligning their insights with practical strategies to address these critical issues.
The final segment of the day was dedicated to the impact of Community Advisory Boards (CABs) on TB clinical trials. CE groups shared their experiences and insights on the common roles and responsibilities of CABs, their terms of reference, and structures. They also discussed the role CABs play in community engagement, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in clinical trials.
On June 4, 2024, Day 2 of the CE forum opened with an eagerly awaited update on the NC-009 clinical trial, discussed by the TB Alliance. This session set a collaborative and informative tone, laying the groundwork for a day rich with presentations and discussions geared toward clinical trial.
The TBpeople Philippines representatives took the stage to introduce the organization and share the impactful initiatives they have been implementing. Ms. Kristina Tay spearheaded the presentation, providing a comprehensive overview of TBpeople Philippines. She highlighted the organization’s mission, goals, and the various projects aimed at combating TB in the country.
Following Ms. Tay, Mr. Allen Joshua Tortosa presented the development of the first TB Research & Development Community Advisory Board (R&D CAB) in the Philippines. This pioneering initiative aims to bridge the gap between researchers and the community, ensuring that the voices of those affected by TB are heard and considered in the research process.
Mr. Joegene Mangilaya then shared his personal experience as a participant in the clinical trial for the BPAL regimen. His testimony provided a humanizing perspective on the clinical trial process, highlighting both the challenges and the hope it brings to TB patients. Mr. Mangilaya’s story served as a powerful reminder of the real-world impact of clinical research and the importance of patient involvement in these studies.
Additional learnings from the session a discussion on the monitoring and evaluation tools for the clinical trial. These tools are important for generating qualitative and quantitative community engagement (CE) reports at the Philippine CE sites. The session provided valuable insights into how these reports can be effectively created and utilized, ensuring that the trial’s outcomes are thoroughly analyzed and understood.
Furhermore, all CE teams also had a communications and writing workshops, these sessions are designed to equip participants with the skills needed to effectively communicate for community engagement and research.
The wealth of information and strategies shared during this session are essential for applying these learnings to the CE team in the Philippines. The TBpeople Philippines representatives expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the forum, recognizing the immense value it brings to their ongoing efforts to combat TB.
The representatives from TBpeople Philippines expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the forum. The information and strategies shared by other CE groups provided valuable insights that they plan to apply to clinical trial sites in the Philippines. The forum was not only a platform for knowledge exchange but also a chance to build stronger international collaborations in the fight against TB.