Many people suffering from diabetes have to use syringes to inject insulin several times a day and while insulin pens are available, they are not readily available to all.

A young woman who has been suffering from diabetes for nearly half of her life has launched a plea for the government to supply her with insulin pens. She has to inject herself four times a day and the procedure is very painful leaving many scars and bruises, even though she is well used to self-administration. The only way for her to stay alive is by injecting herself with insulin to control sugar levels.

Anne Marie Borg*, 18, a tall woman with brown eyes is reading for a degree in electrical and electronics engineering. She was diagnosed as a diabetic at age 10 and is calling for authorities to help her get the same quality of life as her peers.

“This is all very unfair as cartridges for insulin pens are provided to under 16s but not to me or elderly persons,” she said. “I worked throughout summer and paid some e300 in national insurance, both my parents work too, but I am not getting the little help I need,” Anne Marie explained.

A letter she submitted to The Malta Independent was published last week. Anna Zammit Mckeon, president of the Maltese Diabetes Association followed suit calling for the authorities to supply the adequate tools to make life a little bit easier.

“It is no joke to inject four or five times daily,” the association said.

Anne Marie was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes eight years ago. She was referred to hospital for more tests and was prescribed insulin. The cause of her condition was related to a cold earlier that winter. The immune system had attacked pancreatic cells known as beta cells which produce insulin among their other functions. Her body could no longer transfer glucose contained in food into cells throughout the body, and stays in the blood system posing health problems.

While we need water and food to keep us alive, Anne Marie needs insulin in addition.

In its letter, the Malta Diabetes Association said that the issue dates back to April 2006 when the new insulin Glargin (Lantus) and Aspart (Novo Rapid) was included in the list of free medicine supplied to diabetics. For some unknown reason, the tender was issued for syringe phials instead of cartridges and patients who had been used to injecting with the insulin pen had to start using the syringe once again. In December 2007, Ms Zammit Mckeon was informed by the Health Department that the change to cartridges was imminent. However, the situation remained unchanged until June 2009 when Glargin and Aspart cartridges were introduced for children.

The hardships for teenagers, young adults and older patients are great, she said.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry said that a decision had been in place for a few months to supply children (under 16) with insulin pens rather than syringes since children were the ones who suffer most.

“When stocks end, all diabetics will be supplied with insulin pens. This will be in about three month’s time,” he said.

See full interview with Anne Marie and her mother, Therese* on Sunday.

*Names have been changed to protect identity