There are now 1.2 million Australians living with diabetes, mostly Type 2, but the numbers of both major types of diabetes continue to rise. Diabetes is now estimated to cost this country $2.9 billion per year. Much of this cost comes from the management of the complications of the disease, more than the disease itself. This is demonstrated by the fact that the lifetime cost of managing diabetes in someone who suffers complications is five times that of someone whose diabetes is well managed and hence is uncomplicated.
RACS recently wrote to the Australian Health Minister to raise awareness of the increasing epidemic of diabetes and diabetes related complications, many of which are unfortunately surgical diseases. Our letter lent our support to a campaign seeking funding for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM’s) for adults.
Following a response from the Health Minister, RACS also sent a supplementary letter.