Federal plan to improve access to diabetes care introduced in House of Commons

Diabetes Canada has been clamouring for some kind of national vision to address the growing disease epidemic for years, and a framework was ordered by Parliament in 2021.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and the federal government have tabled a new and long-awaited plan in the House of Commons to improve access to diabetes treatment and prevention in Canada.

The framework is meant to ensure diabetes patients across Canada will have equal access to care and treatment, and addresses higher rates of complications for Indigenous people.

Liberal MP Sonia Sidhu called for the framework as part of a private member’s bill that became law in 2021.

At the time, Diabetes Canada was clamouring for some kind of national vision to address the growing disease epidemic.

Diabetes prevents the natural production or use of insulin in the body, which prevents the regulation of glucose in the blood. It is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

According to the private member’s bill, the framework must outline the training, education and guidance health workers need to promote the treatment and prevention of diabetes, including new clinical practice guidelines.

The act also says the government will ensure the Canada Revenue Agency administers the disability tax credit fairly and in a way that helps as many people with diabetes as possible.

Advocates for diabetes patients have lamented the lack of federal vision on the disease for years.