Healthcare authorities have a formidable challenge to subordinate various pressing priorities in the health sector. A shortage of hospital beds, a long waiting list for surgical interventions and a pressing need for new medical equipment are some of the issues that call for an urgent solution.
To this one now needs to add the launching of an effective strategy to control type 2 diabetes. Research has indicated that we are still at the stage where “we don’t know the number of people with diabetes”.
To prevent diabetes 2 becoming a major epidemic, the health authorities must act with more determination to define the extent of the problem of this condition so they can come up with a strategy to control it through early diagnosis and preventive measures.
The findings of a study conducted by researchers Sarah Cuschieri and Julian Mamo, which was published in the Malta Medical Journal, included an extraordinary and sobering reality: “We do not really know how many diabetics and pre-diabetics reside in the Maltese islands and whether their needs are being largely met.”
Since Malta still does not have a national diabetes plan or diabetes register, remedial action the health authorities may want to take can never be fully effective. Before preventive measures can be taken, the health authorities therefore need to speed up the compilation of a national plan and an accurate age-gender profile to control the disease. This is likely to involve a lengthy and expensive screening exercise that will help to define the extent of the problem.
A report by the Parliamentary Working Group on Diabetes also raises some valid points. It includes a warning by the head of Mater Dei Hospital’s diabetes centre, Stephen Fava, that many treatments offered to diabetics cause low blood sugar levels, posing serious risks to patients.
The findings of another study by Swedish researchers state that “data on diabetes care, procedures and treatment outcomes in Malta were obscure or non-existent, making assessment very difficult”. So the health authorities’ decision to launch a draft diabetes strategy for consultation is an important first step to address this problem.
Identifying the risk factors that are likely to lead to the onset of diabetes in adults is an important aspect of this health threat. Obesity and insulin resistance have already been identified as major risk factors. Lack of exercise and a generally sedentary lifestyle are other factors that are undoubtedly increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially among younger adults.
While diabetes seems to be on the increase in most Western countries, the Maltese appear to be at higher risk because many do not exercise enough and this category’s eating habits are not conducive to proper weight control.
Sporadic efforts are made from time to time to encourage both adults and children to spend more time exercising and to eat more healthy food.
The time may have come to include teaching of healthy lifestyle practices in all schools to help young people improve the quality of their life and their chances of avoiding the early onset of debilitating conditions.
Some medical authorities also advocate the need to tax unhealthy foods to discourage people from buying them and hopefully reduce the risk of diabetes and other medical conditions.
Positive action through education is likely to be more effective in encouraging people to exercise more, eat healthier food and control weight to prevent an increase in type 2 diabetes.