Free medicines exist, but patients still face supply shortages and access issues.
A new documentary by Kara David showed that treatment for tuberculosis, despite being curable, remains out of reach for many Filipinos.
In “Kapit-Hininga,” David follows patients navigating the country’s TB crisis, in which access—not medicine—is the problem.
Despite free treatment under the government’s National Tuberculosis Control Program, gaps in supply and hidden costs continue to derail recovery.
In one case, TB patient “Luz” was expected to recover in six to seven months. Instead, his treatment stretched to nine months—marked by inconsistent drug supply, mounting expenses, and declining health. He died on June 2.
The Philippines remains among the countries with the highest TB burden, with over 517,000 cases recorded in 2025. Around 20,000 Filipinos die from the disease each year.
While medication is officially free in public facilities, supply shortages often force patients to buy drugs from private pharmacies—leading to financial burden.
The documentary also traces how the disease thrives beyond clinics.
In densely populated areas like Tondo, cramped and poorly ventilated homes accelerate transmission. In communities such as “Lupang Walang Langit,” multiple families share tight, enclosed spaces with little sunlight and limited sanitation—allowing TB to spread easily.
“Kapit-Hininga” reframes TB in the Philippines as a systemic failure—with poverty, housing, and uneven healthcare to blame.
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