Diabetes patients in possession of the yellow card entitling them to free medicine will be able to obtain a new drug as from next week, Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said.
The announcement was made to coincide with World Health Day yesterday. The theme chosen for this year is ‘Diabetes, a non-communicable disease that directly impacts millions of people globally’.
Mr Fearne said the new medication, known as gliptins and repaglidine, would be available on the government list of medicines.
The investment is part of the government’s commitment to combat diabetes.
The prevalence of diabetes in Malta is among the highest
The prevalence of diabetes in Malta is among the highest worldwide. WHO estimates the number of Maltese diabetes patients will grow from 39,000 in 2000 to 57,000 by 2030.
The disease is directly linked to obesity and, according to a 2015 report, Malta leads the EU with the highest overweight and obesity rates. Nearly 70 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women over the age of 18 are overweight.
In a study published in The Lancet magazine only last week, Maltese men were crowned the heaviest in Europe, having the highest body mass index (27.8kg/m2) along with males in Ireland and Cyprus.
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose which may, over time, lead to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Its prevalence has been steadily increasing in the past few decades. It is estimated that about 350 million people worldwide have diabetes, a number likely to more than double over the next 20 years. In 2014, the global prevalence of diabetes was put at nine per cent among adults aged over 18.
Diabetes types I and II, although similar in impact, require different responses and strategies if they are to be preventable and treatable.
World Health Day, and World Diabetes Day specifically, encourage the promotion of a healthy diet, physical activity and increased advocacy for access to diagnosis and affordable treatment. This must include patient education and empowerment for self-care as a vital component of the responses needed.
The President’s Foundation for the Well-being of Society, with the support of the French Embassy in Malta, will be holding an event focusing on diabetes on November 14 – World Diabetes Day. Those interested should send an e-mail to pfws.opr@gov.mt.