Number of diabetics expected to rise

Diabetes had to be considered a key component of the EU's public health agenda, if the 25 member states of an enlarged Union were to better prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, a Dublin activity was told.

It is estimated that diabetes accounts for five to 10 per cent of a nation's health budget. In order to minimise the costs on national government spending, diabetes must be prevented and controlled before its onset and complications.

Diabetes was discussed during the workshop held in Dublin last week, looking into the need for a comprehensive European prevention strategy.

The workshop was attended by diabetes clinic head Joseph Azzopardi and Maltese Diabetes Association vice-president Chris Delicata, who supported the initiative for a greater awareness on the challenges posed by diabetes.

Mr Delicata is also a member of the International Diabetes Federation for the European Region, which jointly organised this workshop with the Diabetes Federation of Ireland.

An estimated 30,000 people suffer from diabetes in Malta, but according to the Maltese Diabetes Association this figure is expected to increase by 20 per cent by 2025.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations, but at least 50 per cent of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition.

Micheál Martin, Ireland's Health Minister who opened the workshop, said that changes in lifestyle made it inevitable that diabetes would be one of the great challenges facing all health care systems over the next few years.

European politicians, national policy makers and key opinion leaders specifically called on the EU and upcoming presidencies to highlight diabetes as a priority on the European public health agenda and to establish a coordinated approach on the disease.

The Maltese Diabetes Association may be contacted on tel. 2122 1518.

www.diabetesmalta.org.