Diabetes Canada is pleased to see the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador focus specific efforts on making diabetes a priority health issue in its recent release of the new Chronic Disease Action Plan.
“We’ve been asking the government to implement a provincial diabetes strategy and we are encouraged by the inclusion of some elements from such a strategy in this new action plan,” says Jake Reid, senior leader for government relations and advocacy with Diabetes Canada. “Newfoundland and Labrador cannot continue without taking diabetes seriously, as evidenced by this plan.”
A long-promised diabetes registry has been pledged to be instituted this summer, which will help gather important data that can be used to inform government for better diabetes treatment and management.
In addition, there are plans to establish standardized care for people living with diabetes through the use of provincial flow sheets, insulin dose adjustment training for health-care providers, better wound care management, and patient case management. “Diabetes Canada has many recommendations to make on these issues and we encourage the government to take the opportunity to review our Clinical Professional Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada when implementing these initiatives,” says Reid.
The rate of diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador is the highest in Canada, therefore the need to address type 2 diabetes prevention is critical and Diabetes Canada looks to be an active stakeholder in this area. “We also need to address the stigma of living with diabetes and the blame culture we tend to put on those living with the disease,” states Reid.
Diabetes Canada remains committed to urging the government to address issues of access and affordability for diabetes self-management. “Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living with diabetes still incur some of the highest personal costs,” says Reid. While the action plan is encouraging, there are items still on Diabetes Canada’s agenda, such as a healthy hydration strategy that includes better public education and a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages that uses revenue for wellness initiatives.
“We look forward to continued collaboration and opportunities to bring forward Diabetes Canada’s evidence-based knowledge as we work together to support healthy communities and a future without diabetes.”
About Diabetes Canada
Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent. Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:
- Resources for health care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
- Advocacy to governments, schools and workplaces; and
- Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).