Statement on the Future of the Ontario Diabetes Registry
The Canadian Diabetes Association is aware of recent reports concerning the cancellation of the Ontario Diabetes Registry. The Association strongly believes that healthcare providers need to have seamless access to the information they require to provide evidence-based multidisciplinary care for people living with diabetes.
To address this issue, representatives from the Canadian Diabetes Association met with the Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario Minister of Health, and eHealth CEO, Greg Reed, on September 17, 2012, to discuss ongoing delays in the creation of the Ontario Diabetes Registry, and the possibility of its termination.
Minister Matthews has indicated a willingness to work with the Association to ensure that the needs of people living with diabetes are met. The government expressed an interest in ensuring that people living with diabetes are able to access their health information, and allowing healthcare leaders access to the data necessary to make the best decisions in diabetes care while protecting personal privacy.
“Following our meeting this morning, we are optimistic that the government will work with the Association to ensure Ontarians living with diabetes receive the care they need to best manage the disease,” said Dr. Jan Hux, Chief Scientific Advisor, Canadian Diabetes Association. “The government assured us it remains fully committed to its $741 million Ontario Diabetes Strategy.”
The need for the strategy has never been greater: 1.2 million Ontarians live with diabetes (8.3 per cent of the province’s population) and this figure is expected to grow to 1.9 million (11.9 per cent of the province’s population) by 2020. Diabetes and related complications including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and depression cost the provincial healthcare system approximately $5 billion annually and this will increase to $7 billion by 2020.
Diabetes requires daily attention and self-management and unlike many other chronic diseases, diabetes can be managed effectively, allowing people with diabetes to live long and healthy lives. The Canadian Diabetes Association applauded the Government of Ontario for its commitment to a Diabetes Strategy in July 2008, which included the implementation of a diabetes registry.
“We look forward to discussing important next steps with the government and exploring timely alternative solutions to provide an effective, accessible and secure information system for people with diabetes and the healthcare providers who work with them,” concluded Hux.
For more information about the Association’s advocacy direction and initiatives, or to learn more about how you can get involved as a diabetes advocate, visit diabetes.ca/advocacy.