The last couple of months our team at KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has been very busy preparing for the visit of the Japanese TB Program in the Netherlands. As countries with low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), we face unique challenges that require tailored strategies to sustain progress and prevent resurgence. Collaborative knowledge-sharing among countries with low incidence will enhance best practices and provide valuable insights for high TB-burden countries, demonstrating that TB elimination is achievable.
Strengthening surveillance systems, maintaining high-quality care, and ensuring continued expertise among healthcare professionals are critical to safeguarding progress and prevent resurgence of TB. – Mustapha Gidado, KNCV Executive Director
From February 19-25, we were honored to welcome representatives from the Japanese TB program in the Netherlands. This week was dedicated to exchanging knowledge, visiting key institutions in TB care and prevention, and fostering international collaboration in the fight against TB.
Kick off Symposium at KNCV Global Office for the visit of the Japanese TB Program in the Netherlands
We kicked off on Wednesday 19 of February with an insightful symposium: Japan & the Netherlands – How we deal with challenges in TB care and prevention. The opening words by Mustapha Gidado, KNCV Executive Director, welcomed special guests: Hiroshi Minami, Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands, Junko Nakata, First Secretary of the Economic Section of the Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands, and experts from the Research Institute for Tuberculosis (RIT)/Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association (JATA), Haaglanden Medical Center, Setagaya Public Health Center Tokyo and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands (RIVM).
The opening was followed by the speech of Hirosi Minami, Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands. The presentations in the symposium included the experiences of TB care in Japan and Tokyo Metropolitan, as well as in the Netherlands and the value of capacity building general practitioners in TB care and prevention. TB survivor and KNCV’s TB ambassador, Paulina Siniatkina, also participated providing her experience in involving TB survivors in activities to end TB.
Agnes Gebhard, KNCV Technical Director, wrapped up the symposium and gave a warm closure of the session thanking the participants and distinguished guests.
Visit to the Center for Asylum Seekers
On Thursday February 20, we led the visit to the center for asylum seekers in Ter Apel. As established by the government in the Netherlands, asylum seekers reaching the country must report first to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) at Ter Apel. Here they are identified and registered and their process begins. For asylum seekers, this is the place where the initial TB-screening chest X-ray is done.
TB doctor, Bert Wolters and medical assistant, Maud Hoenderken, both from GGD Groningen, gave a presentation about the initial TB-screening and gave a tour of the grounds, the TB X-ray bus and inside the Asylum Seekers Healthcare (Gezondheidszorg Asielzoekers (GZA)) setting. Here, there is also a waiting room for TB, facilities to draw blood samples and where sputum induction is done.
Visit to TB Hospital Beatrixoord
Following the visit at Ter Apel, we visited the TB hospital Beatrixoord in Haren on the same day. Besides RadboudUMC, Beatrixoord is the other TB specialized hospital in the Netherlands. Beatrixoord hospital has 30 beds and is the biggest TB hospital in the country.
Internal medicine doctor, Renée van Bentum, explained what are the conditions that apply for people to be admitted in the TB hospital. We also were able to understand the different TB management and care options available. The visit around the department was also accompanied by nurse practitioner, Kimberley Kroon.
Visit to the oldest GGD in the Netherlands
On Monday February 24, we went the oldest GGD in the Netherlands, the GGD Amsterdam. We visited the Social and Mental Health Care department where we talked with the Homelessness and Access Coordinator, Dylan Price. There, he explained what is the process they undergo to support people who are homeless and people who cannot take care of themselves physically, mentally, or financially. This department of the GGD ensures the correct referrals are made as timely as possible.
Closing event for the visit of the Japanese TB Program in the Netherlands
On the last day, Tuesday February 25, we went back to GGD Amsterdam to visit the TB department. Here, pulmonologist, Onno Spruijt and TB nurses, Romée de Rotte and Noura El Fahim talked about the TB care in the Netherlands. Additionally, they detailed the tasks of the public health TB nurses and the specifics of cross border TB control and the BCG vaccination.
By the end of the visit, Chika Takahashi, public health doctor at Setagaya Public Health Center Tokyo shared an overview of the similarities and differences between the public health services in the Netherlands and Japan. The wrap up and closure speech was given by Akihiro Ohkado, Head of the Research Institute of Tuberculosis (RIT)/Japan Ant-Tuberculosis Association (JATA). “The more we know, the more questions we have…” he started.
The visit of the Japanese TB Program in the Netherlands allowed us to explore the contrasts and parallels in TB care and prevention strategies between Japan and the Netherlands. This week was not only informative but also a stepping stone to stronger international collaborations and partnerships. We will continue driving innovation, strengthening partnerships, and leading the way to ending TB and co-creating global health solutions.
Together we can end TB.