With next Tuesday marking World Diabetes Day, the government is set to be extend a pilot project launched last July to Type 2 diabetics requiring insulin, who will be eligible for free glucose sticks and glucose meters.

There are at present around 35,000 people (some 10 per cent of the population) living with diabetes, 6,000 of whom are dependent on insulin.

In 2016, the entitlement for blood sugar monitoring strips was extended to cover all patients with Type 1 diabetes, irrespective of their age.

As part of government policy to continue enhancing patients’ participation in the management of diabetes mellitus, as well as to further help decrease complications related to diabetes mellitus through better monitoring of blood sugar levels, all insulin requiring diabetic patients will now be entitled to a new blood sugar monitoring machine, and up to four blood sugar monitoring sticks a day.

As of next week roll out plan will start all over Gozo and over the following nine days, the roll out plan will continue all over the rest of Malta. Last summer’s pilot project had covered four localities: Gudja, St Julian’s, Mgarr (Malta), and Kercem.

In the near future, insulin requiring diabetic patients who are entitled to the blood sugar monitor and sticks will receive an entitlement letter from Central Procurement and Supplies Unit (CPSU), as well as, an information letter from the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC). These have to be presented at the pharmacy where the patient is registered.

In 2016, all patients with Type 1 diabetes were given four sticks a day to check their diabetes. This year, it is being extended to people with Type 2 diabetes who use insulin, and next year the plan is to extend it to all those with Type 2 diabetes.