The World Health Organization (WHO) has released operational guidance on addressing tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes. The operational handbook aims to facilitate comprehensive and people-centred care for people with TB and diabetes. It contains practical guidance to facilitate the implementation of WHO recommendations, as well as information on screening, prevention, diagnosis and co-management of both conditions. Implementation of the guidance is expected to increase access to diagnosis for people with TB and diabetes, improve the management and care of people with both conditions and improve health outcomes, including health related quality of life. The guidance is included in the Operational handbook on tuberculosis and comorbidities – third edition
“People with diabetes face a heightened risk of developing TB and suffering from adverse treatment outcomes. Ensuring universal access to screening, prevention and care for both TB and diabetes is essential,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Programme. “The 2023 UN high-level meeting on the fight against TB reinforced Member States’ unwavering commitment to making these services universally accessible while tackling key TB drivers like diabetes. This operational handbook is a critical tool to guide regional and national efforts in delivering high-quality, integrated care for those most in need.”
According to the 2024 WHO Global TB Report, diabetes is one of the key determinants of TB, with about 400 000 TB episodes attributable to diabetes worldwide. This is likely to increase as the global burden of diabetes increases, including in low- and middle-income countries where there is a high prevalence of TB. People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing TB and of experiencing poor TB treatment outcomes, including death. The operational handbook is a key tool for programmes, partners and all relevant stakeholders to further improve the prevention, management and care of people with TB and diabetes. The operational handbook is complementary to WHO’s Framework for Collaborative Action on TB and Comorbidities , published in 2022.
“Equitable access to care for people with diabetes is vital. This is especially important given that people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing TB,” said Dr Guy Fones, Acting Director of WHO’s Department for Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation and Disability. “Member States have committed to ambitious global coverage targets for diabetes to be achieved in 2030, including improvements in diagnosis and glycaemic control among those diagnosed. Closer collaboration between TB and diabetes services will not only help to reduce the joint burden of TB and diabetes, but it will also advance the universal health coverage agenda through strengthened primary health care while contributing to the achievement of the respective targets for diabetes and TB.”
The new operational handbook on TB and comorbidities urges all programmes and partners to effectively tackle the dual challenge of TB and diabetes by ensuring universal access to care and to improve outcomes for those affected.
