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Indonesia is launching the DRIVE Consortium to combat a rising diabetes crisis and high rates of undiagnosed diabetic retinopathy. The initiative uses tele-ophthalmology and retinal screening training for primary care staff to address the severe shortage of eye specialists.
Why it matters
It addresses a major public health burden in a populous nation, potentially preventing widespread blindness through systematic early detection.
Jakarta, IO – Indonesia is facing a growing diabetes crisis, ranking at the world’s fifth-largest diabetic population. The number of people living with diabetes is projected to exceed 23 million by 2030. Today, an estimated 26 million Indonesian adults have diabetes, yet only around 15 million have been diagnosed through the national healthcare system.
This gap leaves millions of people unaware that they may already be developing serious complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
The health and economic impact is significant. A study in Yogyakarta found that 43.1% of diabetes patients had diabetic retinopathy, well above the global average of 35.4%. Without systematic intervention, the economic losses associated with decreased life quality are projected to reach Rp84.7 trillion.
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