The Continuous Glucose Monitoring service has been expanded to include more diabetic patients eligible to apply for it, Minister for Heath Jo-Etienne Abela announced on Friday.

Abela said that the service of Continuous Glucose Monitoring is going to keep on extending in order to reach more people. The expansion means that the service now also covers persons with type 1 diabetes (who are dependent on insulin) aged between 35 and 45 years of age, persons with pancreatic disease who are dependent on insulin as well as women suffering from gestational diabetes, he said. 

Abela gave an explanation on the essential service that the Continuous Glucose Monitoring provides, as more precise control of blood sugar levels betters the quality of life and prognosis of diabetic patients.

He said work is being done by government to address diabetes which affects 10% of the population. Abela also reminded that a few days ago, that the Diabetes Department of Mater Dei Hospital was internationally recognized as a center of excellence.

Through this measure, Abela said the government is upholding another promise. The expansion is expected to benefit around 200 people.

He said that they will continue working with the patients and healthcare professionals to continue monitoring diabetes and find innovative ways to continue controlling the condition locally and assisting patients who suffer from it. 

"This measure is another of a string of measures that the government has taken to address the condition of diabetes, including other associated conditions such as obesity. We are committed to continue working so that this service keeps on being extended to reach more people and we will also work on other innovations," Abela concluded.