Friday, April 29, 2016

MEPs call on Commission to tackle diabetes head-on

More than one in every 10 Maltese is affected by diabetes, and MEPs Therese Comodini Cachia and Marlene Mizzi want to do something about it. The two MEPs were among a group of 383 who today called on the European Commission and Council to prioritise diabetes as a major concern and develop an EU strategy for its prevention, diagnosis and control. Diabetes is a European-wide health concern, with 32 million people affected across the EU. Member states spent €114 billion treating the condition in 2013. In 2015, some 266,000 people died of diabetes-related causes in the EU. Yet, despite the numbers, the EU still lacks a concerted strategy to effectively coordinate diabetes prevention, diagnosis and control measures. "The gravity of the diabetes pandemic is not fully perceived," Ms Mizzi said. "It is time to act and prioritise as a major European health, social and economic concern." Dr Comodini Cachia, who serves as co-chair of the EU Diabetes Working Group, said that "not only can we make the life of those with diabetes better through relevant and good care, but we can help its prevention." MEPs want the Council and Commission to encourage member states to develop national diabetes...

from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/1NZBBS2
via IFTTT

No comments:

Post a Comment