A national steering committee was set up to analyse how the country could counter the rising incidence of diabetes, Health Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar said.

Diabetes was a condition prevailing worldwide and Malta was no exception, with the number of cases rising over the past years, he said at the launch of the Diabetes Association in Support of Youth.

"When diabetes affects youth, most of the time it has a psychological impact. They can feel isolated and different to those their age but this difference should not be felt," Dr Cassar said.

He said the association was set up to organise educational activities and entertainment for diabetic youth and their friends.

Social Policy Minister John Dalli told Parliament last March that the average cost of treating diabetic patients varied between €22.67 and €43.71 per month, depending on the prescribed therapy.

According to the Maltese Diabetes Association over 30,000 Maltese are diagnosed with diabetes.

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