According to the World Health Organisation, about 350 million people worldwide live with diabetes, while the prevalence of the disease continues to rise faster than ever predicted.
In Malta, a pilot health examination survey conducted in 2010 showed that the prevalence of diabetes among adults is about 10 per cent, amounting to more than 30,000 individuals.
This figure continues to rise sharply with age, such that for over-60s, results show that one in five is suffering from diabetes.
It is evident that this disease not only impacts a large number of individuals and their families but also has a big effect on the healthcare system, which is constantly facing new challenges in dealing with these ever-increasing numbers.
There is also a tangible economic burden – both to the individual and to society – in that, as with other chronic conditions, diabetes can lead to a significant loss in productivity.
This Friday (November 14) is marked in the health calendar of events as World Diabetes Day. This year, on the date, we shall be launching a proposal for public consultation outlining the government’s vision to tackle diabetes.
This topic has received heightened attention over the past six months, primarily due to the work carried out by the cross-party parliamentary working group.
The sterling work at the political level carried out by this group has complemented the efforts undertaken by the technical steering group set up within the Secretariat for Health.
Over the summer months, the technical group conducted a needs assessment to identify the priorities for diabetics. This study has made use of epidemiological data and expert focus groups to contextualise the literature to fit the local setting.
The unequivocal message which has emerged is that we must intensify our efforts to prevent or at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Research into the local prevalence, complication rate and causative factors of diabetes is an important early step. Two medical researchers, Sarah Cuschieri and Julian Mamo, have embarked on a detailed project to establish just that. Their results will help us fashion future policy changes.
The high rate of obesity in our children and adults predisposes us to higher rates of type 2 diabetes. The focus of this year’s World Diabetes Day internationally is about healthy eating.The food and nutrition action plan we are also working on will support our national efforts to try and reverse the trend of younger people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
We must intensify our efforts to prevent or at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes
Not all types of diabetes are preventable and, sadly, there will always be people who suffer from this chronic disease.
However, with the advances made in medical science, together with a healthy lifestyle and careful use of established medications, as well as screening, many of the complications associated with diabetes can be avoided.
While a great deal has already been done, we must continue to work for a better reality. Currently, specialised care is delivered through our tertiary referral centre at Mater Dei Hospital, both for children and adults.
The next step is ensuring truly outstanding care is delivered throughout our healthcare system for all those suffering from diabetes. This must include the input of health centres and that of family doctors in the community.
A coordinated and integrated approach to the management of diabetes requires a truly multi-disciplinary approach. We must continue to actively reach out to those most likely to fall by the wayside to improve the situation.
Investment in information campaigns rolled out at a national level and encouraging patients to take more ownership and control of their condition will be an important element to achieve this coordinated approach. However, this alone will not be enough and the real test will be our ability to ensure that hospitals and community care facilities work seamlessly together.
The key to achieving results undoubtedly remains awareness, education and lifestyle changes. While the financial investment required to reach the standards of prevention and care we aspire to is by no means small, the real underlying challenge is changing lifestyles both in people deemed at risk of diabetes as well as among those diagnosed with the condition.
The publication of the consultation document will outline how we intend to make diabetes a national public heath priority.
Ultimately, this will lead to the implementation of effective policy solutions that will reorient our health system and make it one that is geared to focusing on prevention, geared to delivering care through a multidisciplinary approach – which recognises that patients are active partners in the management of their condition – and having a special focus on improving performance.
Chris Fearne is Parliamentary Secretary for Health.