Type 1 Diabetes Patients Will Be a Priority - Ministry of Health 0 13

This promise was made to patients and members of the Saeima during a meeting of the parliamentary commission on social and labor affairs on Wednesday by representatives of the ministry and the National Health Service.

On Tuesday, Type 1 diabetes patients held a protest outside the Cabinet of Ministers, and on Wednesday they were invited to the Saeima. Patients demanded that the state cover the costs of modern devices for all diabetics - glucose monitoring sensors and insulin pumps - regardless of age.

During the parliamentary commission meeting, it was mentioned that the remaining funds in the healthcare budget for the first half of the year could be redistributed for these purposes, and funding will also be requested in the budget for the next year; however, it all depends on the availability of funds. Once the amount of available funding is known, a more specific decision will be made regarding how many patients will be reimbursed for the devices, but it is likely that there will not be enough funds for everyone. It is possible that new groups of patients will be identified for whom the purchase of devices will be reimbursed, or reimbursements will be provided to everyone, but not in full.

As noted by the director of the National Health Service, Aris Kasparans, it is more realistic to start with smaller steps, but in the long term, it is necessary to ensure a 75% reimbursement for everyone. At the same time, it is noted that the final decision on the budget for the next year will be made by the new Cabinet of Ministers and the next Saeima.