A new petition launched by SA Diabetes Advocacy, in partnership with several national diabetes organisations, is calling on the National Department of Health (NDoH) to prioritise access to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) for children under 18 with type 1 diabetes.
The goal is to make life-saving technology available to help vulnerable children to manage their condition – the daily struggles of living with T1D being no small task, requiring children to monitor their blood sugar levels constantly and inject insulin multiple times a day.
Every meal, snack, or even physical activity requires careful calculation to avoid blood sugar spikes or drops, and for children, say the campaigners, this burden is especially heavy.
Without proper management, reports IOL, T1D can lead to dangerous conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which, according to a South African study, accounts for 25%-50% of hospital admissions related to diabetes.
CGM a game-changer
Globally, CGM has been hailed as a revolutionary tool for managing T1D, providing real-time glucose readings day and night, and allowing children and their caregivers to see glucose trends, predict highs or lows, and adjust insulin dosages all without the need for constant finger pricks.
Countries like the US, UK, and Australia have already integrated CGM into their public healthcare systems, recognising its benefits for improving health outcomes and quality of life.
Yet in SA, it remains unavailable for children in the public sector, leaving many families reliant on outdated and less effective methods of glucose monitoring.
A primary barrier is cost, as the devices are expensive, and sensors need to be replaced every few weeks. However, research shows that this upfront cost is offset by long-term savings.
A study published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) found that CGM significantly reduced emergency hospital visits for complications like DKA.
In addition to financial benefits, better diabetes management through CGM can help prevent long-term complications.
Recognising the urgency of the issue, SA Diabetes Advocacy has joined forces with key organisations like Diabetes SA Sweet Life, Kids Powered by Insulin, and SEMDSA, to push for change.
Their petition, which was launched on 25 February, has already garnered nearly 3 000 signatures, reflecting widespread public support.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Continuous glucose monitoring improves glycaemic control versus finger-prick
SA’s diabetes crisis needs urgent response
Diabetes in children peaks after Covid – Canadian study
Nine-year US study gives clue to predicting who gets diabetes