Health Minister Announces Insulin Pumps
Now Funded for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes
Minister for Health the Hon. Peter Dutton MP, announced yesterday that the Australian Government had signed a contract that will release funds to enable up to 204 families to receive an insulin pump so that their child with type 1 diabetes is better able to control their blood sugar levels.
Health Minister Peter Dutton announced that providing these low income families with access to the Insulin Pump Program (IPP), which is administered by JDRF, was a priority for the new Government.
“I know that parents were upset at the delay in this funding and I wanted it sorted. It will at least be one less worry for families under enormous pressure.”
“Some of these families have been on a waiting list for over a year. They’ve waited long enough for access to this life changing technology,” Minister Dutton said.
JDRF CEO Mike Wilson said the program has already helped provide insulin pumps to 439 Australian children who would otherwise be unable to afford a pump.
“Research has shown that insulin pumps deliver better health outcomes and improved quality of life for children with type 1 diabetes, so this will be truly life-changing for these kids,” said Mr Wilson.
Every day 6 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Australia. There is currently no cure for this lifelong disease. The IPP helps children with type 1 diabetes who are under 18 and whose families meet the clinical criteria for a pump but are on low incomes and are unable to access this life changing technology.
JDRF and Type 1 Diabetes - Typically striking young people, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys the ability to produce insulin, which is vital for life. Type 1 diabetes requires a daily regime of multiple injections or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump, as well as 6 – 8 finger-prick blood tests, to stay alive.
Researchers are working hard to more fully understand the complicated mix of genetic and environmental factors that may cause or trigger this disease. However, it is certain that going on a diet or cutting down on sugar doesn’t stop type 1 diabetes.
JDRF is the world’s leading not-for-profit supporter of type 1 diabetes research globally, investing more than $1.6 billion since 1970 including more than $63million into Australian research. JDRF’s support has been behind most major advances in type 1 diabetes research in the past four decades.
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For more media information contact Mandy Campbell, JDRF, tel:(02) 9020 6114.