Colin Rutledge, St Paul's Bay
Diabetics' treatment not effective enough
As was quite rightly indicated by Simon Busuttil in his article Dealing Effectively With Diabetes (November 18), Malta has a significant number of its population that suffer from this illness. However, I would like to point out, as a sufferer of Type 1 diabetes, that Malta sadly lags behind its European counterparts in the effective treatments given. Notably in the prevention of its long-term complications and the more modern medicines that are now available. Both these failures I put down to short-term thinking on the cost of diabetes treatments and prevention of complications.
I have recently moved to Malta, having lived in Italy, UK, and Germany. In all three countries the policy was clear to see, that was to prevent future costs to the medical services by prevention of complications that lead to more costly hospital stays, operations and, in some instances, premature death.
Fundamental to this was education to the diabetic of "auto control" - the testing and evaluating of glucose level at home with the help of a simple-to-use meter (supplied free by most producers) and the test strips supplied free by the government.
So it was to my surprise that here the diabetic must pay for these basic requirements. I am sure that it makes more sense and is vastly more cost efficient to prevent future complications by supplying what is fundamentally life saving to a diabetic free of charge.
I will not enter into the discussion on the new insulins that are not yet available freely in Malta because without the basic requirement to be able to control your own glucose levels they have little relevance (may I add that not supplying freely a basic requirement is yet another tax on the poor).
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Joe Portelli
Nov 22nd 2009, 06:46
Whilst the point of prevention is better than cure (treatment in this case), Colin Routledge may not be aware that diabetic patients that suffer injuries in accidents are better treated by the many doctors in Malta who are more exposed to diabetic surgeries than in the UK. In UK diabeties is a relative recent condition and so far the majority of diabetic patient simply get a free glucose kit to check and no real education to control - infact prescription is administered without even such tests as the WHO diabetic test to establish if its glucose / yeast etc that is affecting the patient. Ofcourse in some parts of the UK you can get first class treatment but it is folly to imply this is widespread.
On the question of paying (or not paying) as Colin suggests - its a great and sensible suggestion - but again, people spend thousands on Cars and luxury goods to improve their image, why should they not spend this little money on their own health ? Public rescourse ought to be used to help those that CAN'T help themselves (including diabetic patients if they qualify). Education may be a better approach.
Noel Hili
Nov 21st 2009, 23:46
I fully agree with the letter and Mr.Micallef's comments. Our European counterparts are given the help they need by their respective Governments. Over here, the diabetics have to pay for all the expenses from their own pockets, albeit being a chronic condition. Besides, to have an appointment at Mater Dei, to be looked by a Diabetes professional, one has to wait for 10 full months, and here I am speaking from my own experience. I went in September to get an appointment and was given one on the 9th June 2010. This is state of the Art Health Care Mr. Minister of Health !! It's useless having the hospital building 'State of the Art' after 15 years and then not having the staff complement necessary to tackle the needs of the people. The Doctors and nurses are doing their utmost to sustain the health care in Malta but are not given what they need from the Government. But this is Malta after all and people are left to their own devices to get the proper health care they deserve. Really State of the Art !!!
E. Azzopardi
Nov 21st 2009, 14:35
It is NOT an illness but a CONDITION.
Charles Micallef
Nov 21st 2009, 11:05
I fully endorse the contents of this letter in its totality...Having to purchase the test kits and the testing strips at a €1 each, and again having to test the blood sugar at least twice a day as directed, cost a minimum €14 a week is very expensive especially for some...including the lower paid and pensioners!