The expansion of the province’s Continuous Glucose Monitoring Program to all patients with type 1 diabetes is just one of a series of programs that will be introduced to help patients better manage diabetes.
The program expansion announced yesterday is expected to impact some 4,600 people, yet the vast majority of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living with diabetes are type 2.
That’s led to questions about when type 2 diabetics will be able to access the program.
Omnipod insulin pump pictured alongside a vial of insulin and a Dexxom G7 continuous glucose monitor (VOCM News file photo)
Endocrinologist with NL Health Services, Dr. Zaina Albalawi, says continuous blood sugar monitoring is the standard of care for type 1 diabetes. That’s why they focused on that patient group first.
Dr. Albalawi says the next priority group is type 2 diabetics who are insulin-dependent.
“I think this is the beginning of multiple initiatives, and we are collectively trying to include and collaborate on equitable access to all people with diabetes,” she said.
The latest expansion, which will include full or partial coverage for all eligible type 1 diabetics, is expected to cost government roughly $4.6 million.
