In his vlog MEP Francis Zamit Dimech says that over the past year, he made no less than five appeals to the government to support diabetic patients and their families. He also raised their concerns at EU level. “Diabetes will remain one of my top priorities at European Parliament.”

Reacting to the news that now Continuous Glucose Monitors will be available to diabetic children in Malta, Zammit Dimech said, “I am glad that finally, after a year since my first appeal, diabetic children will be given Continuous Glucose Monitors for free.” Zammit Dimech had written twice to the Minister for Health (in April and June 2018) to make an appeal for Continuous Glucose Monitors to be available after several parents had spoken to him following a National Conference on Diabetes he had organised in January last year.

Zammit Dimech, who is co-chair of the Diabetes Working Group at the European Parliament, said that this was the third proposal he made and that was eventually adopted by the government. These proposals included the provision of Continuous Glucose Monitors, the introduction of a diabetic nurse in the Gozo Hospital and the setting up of a parliamentary committee to discuss diabetes. Zammit Dimech reiterated his appeal for the government to provide diabetics with a lancet device.

This week Francis Zammit Dimech held a meeting with Ignacio Garamendi, Regional Manager of the International Diabetes Federation Europe (IDF Europe) at the offices of the Federation in Brussels. During the meeting, Ignacio Garamendi spoke about the need to have reliable data on diabetes across the EU and the need of a concerted effort in terms of data collection. In this regard, Francis Zammit Dimech said that this was also crucial for policy makers to take concrete actions based on scientific data and to devise policies accordingly. IDF thanked Zammit Dimech for his support to organise awareness campaigns throughout the week of World Diabetes Day. He promised to further support such initiatives. Zammit Dimech also pledged to further push forward health related policies on the EU’s agenda.

Zammit Dimech said that he was in the process of meeting further stakeholders on diabetes and over the coming days he will be presenting further proposals to better the lives of diabetics. “I commit myself that I will continue to be the voice of diabetics by speaking up for them and their needs,” added Zammit Dimech.