The Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) programme, which until now has been very successful among people under the age of 23 who suffer from type 1 diabetes, has been extended and is being offered free of charge, to persons under 35 years of age.

This was announced by Health Minister Chris Fearne who listed the health benefits that have been observed among the younger patients, who have already started using this service.

He explained how each year an average of 110 new cases of type 1 diabetes are registered and how this condition can start at a young age. He said that when it is not properly controlled, this condition can lead to further complications in the patient’s health and therefore the advanced technology of continuous glucose monitors can prevent this from happening.

The machines, which are being offered free of charge to eligible patients, give an accurate picture of the blood sugar level at all times, through an app on the patient’s or parent’s mobile phone.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that this service, which started from a pilot project two years ago among diabetic children, not just because it offered peace of mind to patients and parents, but because it is reducing the probability that these patients would suffer from complications associated with diabetes later on in life.

Photo: DOI/Pierre Sammut

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