The collaborative framework for the management of tuberculosis and type 2 diabetes syndemic in low- and middle-income countries: a rapid review.

INTRODUCTION: Given the absence of international guidelines on the joint management and control of tuberculosis (TB) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) launched in 2011 a policy framework to address the growing syndemic burden of TB-T2D. This review aimed at mapping the available evidence on the implementation of the Union-WHO Framework, explicitly, or bi-directional TB-T2D health programs as an initiative for co-management in patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS: A rapid review was performed based on a systematic search in PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles on The Union-WHO Framework and bi-directional interventions of TB and T2D in LMIC. The search was restricted to English language articles and from 01/08/2011 to 20/05/2022. RESULTS: A total of 24 articles from 16 LMIC met the inclusion criteria. Four described the implementation of The Union-WHO Framework and 20 on the bi-directional interventions of TB and T2D. Bi-directional activities were found valuable, feasible and effective following the Union-WHO recommendations. Limited knowledge and awareness on TB-T2D comorbidity was identified as one of the barriers to ensure a functional and effective integration of services. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed that it is valuable, feasible and effective to implement bi-directional TB and T2D activities (screening and management) according to the Union-WHO Framework recommendations, especially in countries that face TB-T2D syndemic. Additionally, it was apparent that gaps still exist in research aimed at providing evidence of costs to implement collaborative activities. There is need for TB and T2D services integration that should be done through the well-stablished TB programme. This integration of two vertical programmes, could ensure patient-centeredness, continuum of care and ultimately contribute for health systems strengthening.

Primeira Conferência Científica sobre COVID-19 em Moçambique com Uso Combinado de Plataformas de Informação e Comunicação / First Scientific Conference on COVID-19 in Mozambique with Combined Use of Information and Communication Platforms

O Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS) organi zou, entre os dias 17 e 18 de Junho do presen te ano, a primeira Conferência Científica sobre a COVID-19 no país. O evento teve lugar nas instalações do INS, em Marracuene, tendo sido transmitida em directo por várias plataformas de comunicação e informação, uma vez que, pelo contexto da pandemia, não era possível realizar um evento presencial abrangente. Em cada um dos dias, houve uma sessão plenária seguida de painéis, com um orador e três comentadores. As sim, a conferência ligou entre si investigadores, académicos e público em geral através de várias plataformas de comunicação e informação (televi são, rádio, jornal e plataformas digitais: facebook, youtube e zoom) num evento que visava promo ver o debate científico sobre a COVID-19, e os desafios que ela coloca à sociedade moçambicana. Pretendia também analisar a resposta à pandemia em Moçambique e no mundo, nos planos eco nómico, social, cultural e, particularmente, no campo das ciências biomédicas. O modelo virtual desta conferência, permitiu a interacção com os participantes, tendo estes gozado da possibilidade de colocar questões aos membros do painel.

The National Institute of Health (INS) organized, between the 17th and 18th of June of this year, the first Scientific Conference on COVID-19 in the country. The event took place at the INS premises, in Marracuene, and was broadcast live by various communication and information platforms, since, due to the context of the pandemic, it was not possible to hold a comprehensive face-to-face event. On each day, there was a plenary session followed by panels, with one speaker and three commentators. Thus, the conference connected researchers, academics and the general public through various communication and information platforms (television, radio, newspaper and digital platforms: facebook, youtube and zoom) in an event that aimed to promote the scientific debate on COVID-19, and the challenges it poses to Mozambican society. It also intended to analyze the response to the pandemic in Mozambique and in the world, at the economic, social, cultural levels and, particularly, in the field of biomedical sciences. The virtual model of this conference allowed interaction with the participants, who enjoyed the possibility of asking questions to the panel members.