The number of test strips given to diabetic children will be doubled. Photo: Shutterstock

The government will be more than doubling the number of test strips it gives to diabetic children, who need to monitor their sugar levels at least four times a day.

At the moment, the State provides 100 blood glucose strips every two months, and this will now be increased to 120 every month for those aged under 18.

These strips are used by diabetics on insulin. They prick themselves to draw blood which is then applied to a test strip in a blood glucose monitor.

Doctors recommend that young diabetics on insulin check themselves at least four times daily, or 120 times a month.

Chris Barbara, one of the coordinators of the Diabetes Association in Support of Youth, explained that if they did not monitor their sugar levels diabetics could end up either overdosing on insulin or taking less than needed.

Don’t give up, look for support and do not feel ashamed of the condition

If glucose levels were not controlled, diabetics could end up in hospital within hours.

The 28-year-old said diabetics ideally repeated this process six to eight times a day – every time they ate – so that they could adjust the insulin intake according to their glucose level. Each box of 50 strips costs around €23.

Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne explained that increasing the State’s allocation of strips to those aged under 18 was meant to reduce the financial burden of their families while ensuring that children kept their glucose levels under control.

There are around 200 young diabetics, with the youngest aged nine months. Around 20 new patients are diagnosed with type one diabetes every year.

Mr Barbara said the association urged young people with diabetes to maintain a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, and keep themselves motivated.

“Don’t give up, look for support and do not feel ashamed of the condition or of the fact that you need to take insulin to treat it,” he said.

The new measure was introduced ahead of the launch of a strategy on diabetes for consultation that will be unveiled tomorrow, which also marks World Diabetes Day. A steering committee has been working on this strategy for months. Diabetics are estimated to make up 10 per cent of the population.

Neville Calleja, chairman of the committee steering the strategy and the director for health information and research, said one of the proposals was to extend the entitlement to test strips to all type one diabetics irrespective of age.