Despite Nova Scotia’s growing diabetes epidemic and the predicted trajectory for rates to continue to climb, the recent budget tabled by Finance Minister Karen Casey did not include important measures or policies to address this serious crisis.
“The government is not adequately acknowledging a major public health issue in this province, where over 110,000 people are currently living with diabetes,” says Lisa Matte, Regional Director for Diabetes Canada. “In order to tackle this reality, Nova Scotia has to establish and implement a diabetes strategy involving all sectors of society that will organize a collaborative response to a disease that takes a deadly toll on far too many Nova Scotians.”
To meet the growing burden of diabetes in Nova Scotia, the province should enhance access to diabetes medications, devices and supplies, including expanding financial coverage for insulin pumps and supplies to all individuals with type 1 diabetes, regardless of age. “Out-of-pocket costs for many Nova Scotians with diabetes continue to be a barrier to effectively managing the disease,” says Matte.
Diabetes Canada does acknowledge the government’s plan to recruit and retain more doctors and increase access to primary health care, as well as efforts to enhance and expand new collaborative care teams across the province, which will benefit patients living with diabetes.
Diabetes Canada will continue to urge action on the diabetes epidemic that will alleviate cost pressures on Nova Scotia families and the provincial health-care system.