Residents of Naxxar and Paola who suffer from diabetes have been chosen to take part in a pilot project whereby they will get insulin injections as early as possible in the day.

The two local councils and the Health Ministry signed the agreement yesterday.

Health Minister Louis Deguara said the government currently pays Lm600,000 to the MMDNA for nursing services, of which Lm500,000 goes towards the care of diabetic patients.

Nurses giving insulin injections have to cater for large districts, he said, with the result that several patients do not get their dose before late morning, and this was not correct medical practice.

Dr Deguara said that if the project is successful, it will be introduced in other towns and villages.

Health director-general Ray Busuttil said that the new service will allow diabetics to receive their insulin injection between 7 and 8am. The department will be monitoring the service and providing local councils with a list of the patients who are eligible to take part.

The agreement was drafted by Dr Amato Gauci, who is the director-general of Primary Healthcare in the department.