On the occasion of World Diabetes Day the health authorities are attempting to get a snapshot of the population’s blood sugar levels; people are invited to have a random blood test done at health clinics (bereg) or health centres.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joe Cassar addressed a press conference at the Mosta Health Centre yesterday, saying it is estimated that 10 per cent of the Maltese are diabetes sufferers.

He also quoted a Health Interview Survey, which shows that about six per cent of the population take some form of medicine (pills and/or insulin injections) to treat diabetes.

About 14 months ago, a pilot project introduced at the Gzira health centre was intended to encourage diabetes sufferers only to go to hospital for secondary and tertiary care.

The project, which will also be introduced in other health centres, provides a personalised service, particularly by means of the HbA1C test, which is done on the spot before it is sent to a laboratory. The test is currently one of the best ways to check diabetes is under control.

People having their blood test done in health clinics and health centres will be given advice regarding any follow-ups they would need to do.



What is diabetes all about?

Source: World Health Organisation

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or alternatively, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.



• Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset) is characterised by a lack of insulin production. Without daily administration of insulin, Type 1 diabetes is rapidly fatal.

• Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes and fatigue. These symptoms may occur suddenly.

• Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity.

• Symptoms may be similar to those of Type 1 diabetes, but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, once complications have already arisen.

• Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in obese children.

• Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia which is first recognised during pregnancy.

• Symptoms of gestational diabetes are similar to Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is most often diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than reported symptoms.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) and Impaired Fasting Glycaemia (IFG) are intermediate conditions in the transition between normality and diabetes. People with IGT or IFG are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, although this is not inevitable.

How can the burden of diabetes be reduced?

Without urgent action, diabetes-related deaths will increase by more than 50 per cent in the next 10 years.

To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:

• Achieve and maintain healthy body weight.

• Be physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control.

Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive blood testing.

Treatment of diabetes involves lowering blood glucose and the levels of other known risk factors that damage blood vessels. Tobacco cessation is also important to avoid complications.

Interventions that are both cost saving and feasible include:

• Moderate blood glucose control. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin; people with type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral medication, but may also require insulin;

• Blood pressure control;

• Foot care.

Other interventions include:

• Screening for retinopathy (which causes blindness);

• Blood lipid control (to regulate cholesterol levels);

• Screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease.

These measures should be supported by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use.