The Federal Government has announced it will fund a $54 million subsidy for glucose testing technology to help young people with type 1 diabetes if re-elected.
The funding would subsidise the cost of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices for up to 4,000 children and young people who have type 1 diabetes.
CGM devices track a person’s glucose levels throughout the day and night, and sound an alarm if they are dangerously high or low.
Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said the devices help children who cannot feel their blood sugar levels falling and offer constant feedback, unlike a traditional finger-prick test.
“These devices really make a huge difference, particularly in children and young adults where there is hypo-unawareness,” Ms Ley said.
“Where there isn’t a normal signal that blood sugar is getting low and without that alarm, your body will not tell you that you need to have some glucose and you can enter a danger zone.”
Hypo-unawareness is a term describing those people with diabetes who may not recognise the symptoms of low blood sugar, including feeling weak or tingling in the mouth or fingers, or who may have different symptoms than those usually experienced.
Ms Ley said the devices mean children and parents do not have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night for traditional finger-prick tests.
“Our significant investment of $54 million to go to 4,000 children and their families will support them with new technology that monitors their blood sugar constantly, that keeps them out of the danger zone, where they can have severe low blood sugar, and gives parents peace of mind,” she said.
“This device will be life-changing and our understanding of the experiences of families facing the challenge of type 1 diabetes means that we are making this important step forward when it comes to subsidising these devices.”
Regional families have recently been calling for a subsidy on CGM devices to be put in place, saying access to the devices would alleviate their isolation from other medical facilities.
CGM devices can cost up to $5,000 a year, and are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
Ms Ley said the funding for a subsidy is part of a wider commitment to a National Diabetes Strategy also planned for development if the Government is re-elected.