Seven health professional organisations in Indonesia have joined together to sign a consensus statement on tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus – two diseases whose inter-relationship is causing great concern.
In 2014 there were 387 million people with diabetes, 77 percent in low- and middle-income countries such as Indonesia, and where tuberculosis is also prevalent. People with diabetes are three times more likely to develop TB due to their weakened immune systems, and they do less well in treatment.
The aim of this consensus is to provide a reference document for guidelines and a manual to accelerate the implementation of bidirectional screening and management of TB and diabetes at primary care services and referral site services (secondary and tertiary level).
In addition, the collaboration aims to boost the detection of TB and diabetes, no matter which disease the patients present with, and reduce missed opportunities to identify and co-infected patients at the earliest stage, increase the quality of their treatment and improve management of the both diseases to reduce high mortality and disability
Signatories were the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI); Indonesian Pulmonology society (PDPI); Indonesian Endocrinologist Association (PERKENI); Indonesian Internist Association (PAPDI); Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI); Indonesian Family Doctor Association (PDKI); Indonesian Respiratory Association (PERPARI).
Mr Matthew Coghlan, Director of The Union Asia-Pacific Office was present at the signing ceremony. He is working closely with Indonesia’s Ministry of Health to plan for the upcoming Bali Summit on TB and Diabetes on 1 and 2 November. The summit will bring together an international group of experts, government representatives and other stakeholders to discuss this looming co-epidemic.