 Sanofi South Africa announced on November 30 2015 a joint initiative with the University Research Co (URC) and the National Department of Health (NDOH) that seeks to increase early detection of concomitant diabetes and tuberculosis, and support appropriate management of patients. Targeting high volume facilities in four provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Free State, this Public Health initiative aims to increase screening and diagnosis of diabetes among tuberculosis patients, and vice versa, strengthen healthcare workers skills and practices, and increase public awareness about prevention and control.
Today, 415 million people are estimated to have diabetes, and the International Diabetes Federation expect there will be 642 million people with diabetes by 2040.1 Tuberculosis continues to infect an estimated one-third of the world’s population (latent tuberculosis), and causes disease in 9.6 million people per year, killing 1.5 million of those afflicted.2
South Africa is among the countries which have the most cases of tuberculosis associated with diabetes.3 By working together with endocrinologists, experts in public health, infectious diseases and tuberculosis, primary healthcare providers and local non-governmental organisations a key initiative will be the development of a clinical training package for healthcare providers. This package will comprise screening tools, care pathways and decision making guidance to support the comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetes and tuberculosis.
In addition the program will help to promote health education and awareness amongst patients and the general population, as well as carry out large scale diabetes and tuberculosis screenings.
To watch the video on Diabetes and Tuberculosis please click here: http://www.epresspack.net/sanofi-diabetes-global-health/news/1577
Further information is available at: http://www.epresspack.net/sanofi-diabetes-global-health
References:
- International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 7th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2015. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
- World Health Organization. Global Tuberculosis Report. World Health Organization, 2015. http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/gtbr15_main_text.pdf?ua=15. Last accessed November 2015.
- Lönnroth K, Roglic G, Harries AD. Improving tuberculosis prevention and care through addressing the global diabetic epidemic: from evidence to policy and practice. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2014;2(9):730-9.
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