TB linked to diabetes

People with diabetes are three to four times more likely to contract TB than non-diabetics, experts have claimed.

M V Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre in India have launched a new project with the World Diabetes Foundation to raise awareness of the issue.

The group is calling for TB patients to be screened for diabetes, with 1,000 doctors, 350 health workers and 300 paramedics set to be trained in the area.

Over a three year period, this additional training will take place in the Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, the Times of India reports.

Dr Viswanathan, managing director of the M V Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre, said: "We implore to the government of Tamil Nadu to screen every TB patient for the presence of diabetes or Impaired Fasting Glucose/Impaired Glucose Tolerance and thereby target primary prevention of diabetes.

"Hence, we can largely contribute to the success of the Revised National TB Control Programme and the National Diabetes Control Programme."

In 2007, there were 9.2 million new cases of TB around the world.

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