10/06/2013

10% Of Health Budget Spent On Diabetes Treatment

10% of Northern Ireland's health budget is estimated to be spent on managing diabetes and its complications, according to Health Minister Edwin Poots.

Mr Poots said projections estimate the proportion could rise to 17% in just over two decades.

The Minister was addressing delegates attending the launch of Diabetes Week UK in the Long Gallery at Stormont today.

"There are approximately 76,000 adults or 4% of the population with diabetes in Northern Ireland and some 1,000 children," he said.

Outlining the Department of Health's plans to adress the increasing number of people with diabetes in Northern Ireland, the Minister said: "My Department is finalising a new 10-year Public Health Strategic Framework, which will set the overall framework for action, across Government, to improve public health by addressing the causes of ill-health and health inequalities.

“Work has also been progressing on a review of diabetes care, led by the Chief Medical Officer, to maximise the resources we have to ensure that diabetes care is fit for purpose and sustainable.”

Diabetes is also major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and renal disease.

The Minister concluded by saying: "There is much we can be proud of in Northern Ireland when it comes to care of people with diabetes. Over the last decade we have invested considerable resources to address the many facets of diabetes; from public health and prevention, to the most advanced technological solutions such as insulin pumps and telemonitoring."

(IT/CD)

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