Making life easier - and safer - for those with Type 1 diabetes

Living with Type 1 diabetes is exhausting. The constant attempts to balance blood sugar with insulin, exercise, hormones, stress, sleep and daily life can sometimes feel impossible. There is something that makes it significantly easier, though - sensor technology. Not having to use outdated fingersticks to prick our fingers, but rather having access to 24 hour data to make decisions.

When it comes to Type 1 diabetes, easier also means safer, because we're at less risk of emergency hypo situations, and long-term complications from hypers.

Flash glucose sensors are the most affordable CGM available, and we are appealing to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to make them a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) for all those with Type 1 diabetes in South Africa.

We've collected 47 pages of testimonials from people with Type 1, speaking about how sensor technology is essential:

• Critical management of Type 1 diabetes in children
• Help for the hypo unaware
• Avoiding emergency situations
• Fewer hospitalisations
• Help during high-risk pregnancy
• Reduction in HbA1c: protection against future complications
• Improved physical and mental health
• Better diabetes insight leading to better diabetes control
• Reduced damage to fingertips

Please give us access to the sensor technology we need to avoid future harm from Type 1 diabetes.

Find out more about SA Diabetes Advocacy at www.diabetesadvocacy.org.za