The Parliamentary Working Group on Diabetes this morning presented a report to Speaker Anġlu Farrugia, highlighting proposals which aim to reduce the high incidence of the condition among the Maltese population.

The working group, which is chaired by former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia, was set up on the initiative of Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil and comprises 11 MPs. Six meetings were held since April and 17 stakeholders were consulted, including diabetic patients, NGOs and experts in the field.

Malta has a high incidence of diabetes, with some 40,000 people having the condition.

The report suggests a patient-centric legal framework which guides healthcare providers.

It recommends that diabetic children should be better supported at school and regular reviews by dieticians, psychologists and social workers should be undertaken.

Treatment should be both pharmacological and psychological as diabetes can affect a patient’s mental health.

New anti-diabetes drugs should be included on the government formulary list, while drug and equipment protocols need to be less restrictive.  

The report also suggests the setting up of a national diabetes register which computerises all patient data and assembles an electronic record for each patient.