The national diabetes plan unveiled in the Budget should focus on prevention and early diagnosis, according to Chris Delicata from the Malta Diabetes Association.

“Malta has a diabetes incidence of 10 per cent of the population. This equates to around 40,000 people, which is not a small number for the size of a country like ours,” he said.

Figures released yesterday showed a record 382 million people worldwide were estimated to be living with the condition – 8.4 per cent of the global population – according to the International Diabetes Federation.

By 2035 the federation expects the total will soar by 55 per cent to 592 million.

Diabetes incidence is 10 per cent of the population

Speaking on World Diabetes Day yesterday, Mr Delicata said the “highly important” national plan would allow Malta to have a focused and tailor-made programme for the condition’s management and treatment.

It was important the plan was sustainable and addressed primary prevention, improved the quality of diabetes treatment and care and ensured that this was accessible, community-based and patient-centred.

He said there was also a need for ongoing professional development and specialised training for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals working in the field.

In the Budget, the Government announced people with diabetes will get new medicines.

“This is positive news that will undoubtedly affect people very favourably and would ultimately improve their diabetes management and care.

“It will also have an affect on the Government’s health expenditure, particularly those relating to Mater Dei Hospital as better control would mean fewer complications and reduce the need for inpatient hospitalisation,” Mr Delicata said.

He underlined the need for more awareness as some have the condition without realising.

An information seminar will be held today at the Catholic Institute in Floriana from 6pm and 8pm. Tomorrow there will be free diabetes testing at Daniels Shopping Complex in Ħamrun between 10am and 1pm.

The Nationalist Party said diabetes diagnosis and treatment should be the health sector’s main priority, both to overcome the condition and to intensify efforts against the rise in obesity.

PN spokesman for health Claudio Grech said the diabetes national strategy should be one of the first sectors that consensus is reached on.

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