Skopje, 18 August 2023 (MIA) - Anti-diabetic medication and insulin, and new treatments are finally available. This is what we were looking for. The final batch of medication is being made available right now, since, in the meantime this week, we received 95 percent of it, the President of the Union of Associations of People with Diabetes, Dimche Velev, told MIA on Friday.

On August 11, the Ministry of Health announced a meeting with representatives from the associations of people with diabetes, but Velev said that he expects a meeting imminently.

"In the meantime, the anti-diabetic medication has been made available, and as of today all of it will be made available, along with the new medication. We also expect efficiency from the companies and their distribution resources," Velev stressed.

The question still remains on what should be done with the change of the system on glucometers and diabetic tape patches.

"The tender has been signed and in a few weeks, as soon as possible, we expect 40 new glucometers and 700 sensors for children. Two of the sensors will be new. For the first time, after 30 years, the country will procure sensors for children no older than 18. Every child up to the age of 18, blind children, as well as the ones with gestrational diabetes will receive sensors. It is a change. Seventy children will no longer have to use a glucometer, because they will all get a sensor," Velev explained.

The association wants all people with type 1 diabetes to receive sensors.

"The Government announced 570 additional sensors. There is no formal decision, but it was announced. We are now interested in the action plan for preventing diabetes so that we can start educating. We face several challenges- the protocol that was developed with the World Health Organization must change, general practitioners to start treating prediabetes and diabetes at the primary level, insulin be given at the tertiary level at the clinic. The rest falls on general practitioners and endocrinologists," Velev added.

Regarding the lawsuits due to the lack of medication, Velev said that they discussed submitting petitions to the Ministry of Health with lawyers, while they wait for a meeting. ssh/ad

Photo: MIA Archive