A new ECCO Consensus led by Alaa El-Hussuna highlights challenges and opportunities for improving Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, jjaf125, https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaf125. With diverse international authorship and ECCO’s support, the project lays the foundation for reducing global inequities in patient care.
I am honoured to have been part of a remarkable global project that has just culminated in the publication of a new ECCO Consensus on the management of IBD in LMICs in the Journal of Crohn’s & Colitis. The initiative was led with outstanding dedication by Alaa El-Hussuna and brought together a uniquely diverse group of authors spanning Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Consensus addresses the rising burden of IBD in LMICs and the particular barriers faced by patients and clinicians in these regions: limited awareness, delayed diagnosis and restricted access to modern therapeutic options and multidisciplinary care. By mapping these challenges, the document offers a framework for action and a platform for future research.
The project highlights both the urgency and the opportunity of this moment. While LMICs face rapid growth in IBD prevalence, they often lack the resources to respond adequately. The Consensus underscores that progress will require more than local commitment—it will depend on active support from ECCO and from colleagues in high-resource countries. Partnerships, training initiatives and resource sharing will be crucial to ensure that the recommendations translate into tangible improvements in care. This work reflects the true spirit of ECCO: collaboration across borders, inclusivity in authorship and a shared determination to improve outcomes for patients worldwide. With continued engagement and investment, the Consensus can serve as a springboard to narrow the global gap in IBD care and give patients in LMICs the access to high-quality treatment that they deserve.
