National diabetes policy proposal launched for public consultation

A proposed national diabetes policy was presented for public consultation today by parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne.

The five-year policy would being in 2015.

Speaking at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Fearne talked about the need to expand the treatment of diabetes from Mater Dei and a limited number of professionals to family doctors and community health centres.

“Training needs to prepare professionals, including doctors, nurses, podiatrists and others, to be able to offer care for diabetes patients,” Fearne said.

Fearne also discussed the importance of preventing Type 2 diabetes, a major cause of which is obesity. Education from a young age was also emphasized. “We also need to educate on the importance of a Mediterranean diet, which studies show decrease the risks of diabetes and obesity by up to 20%,” Fearne said.

Initiatives now, Fearne said, would likely only show results in the next decade and the costs for such projects would be significant, though he declined to give specific figures.

Neville Camilleri, who formed part of the steering committee set up in June to develop the proposal, also addressed the press.

Camilleri said that the national diabetes register needs to be updated technologically and that the proposal would invite people on the register to regular screenings for blood pressure, kidney function, foot health and glucose levels, in an effort to prevent complications down the line. About 10% of the Maltese population has diabetes.

Pharmacists too can contribute to improving services to diabetics. More engagement with patients as well as a review and renewal of the current diabetic self-management and education programs are needed, Camilleri said.

The importance of trained staff was emphasized again as was the importance of making sure insulin analogues, glucose strips and insulin syringes were adequately supplied.

The voluntary diabetes helpline should become institutionalized, Calleja said, and a smoother transition between paediatric and adult treatment regimes was needed. A viability assessment of insulin pumps would determine whether their use would be feasible locally.

The consultation process began today, on World Diabetes' Day, and will continue until 15 May 2015