VALLETTA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Malta will be offering free remote glucose monitors to all type 1 diabetics as of next week, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Saturday.
Fearne tweeted that as it had promised prior to the March general election, the government was offering the device to those under 21 and will then extend it to all those under 35 years of age and eventually to all type 1 diabetic patients.
The devices transmit real-time results to a mobile phone app, enabling patients to do away with the invasive finger-prick method to test sugar levels. Small sensors placed under the skin send out alerts when levels get too low or high, allowing patients or their carers to better monitor the condition.
The costs of the device can run into hundreds or even thousands of euros, with additional recurring expenses to buy the sensors.
Around 10 percent of the population in Malta above 18 years is estimated to have diabetes. Some 200 children under 16 years old got their device last year through a pilot project.
The government has also pledged to eventually provide similar devices to patients with cardiac and respiratory conditions. ■
