Diabetics need access to specialists

Re: “Diabetics’ insulin pumps covered for all,” June 13.

Kudos to the NDP government for extending B.C. PharmaCare support for continuous-monitoring insulin pumps to all adult British Columbians who suffer from diabetes.

This wise policy decision will result in immediate health benefits to diabetics and long-term cost savings to the B.C. health-care system through reduced diabetic neuropathy, eye and heart disease, and limb amputations due to the deleterious effects of improperly managed blood sugars.

But to qualify, a person with diabetes must be recommended to the program by an endocrinologist or diabetes expert. That’s a major problem: Even if registered with one, it takes up to six months to book an appointment with any of the few endocrinologists available.

I understand that in Victoria alone, due to retirement or maternity leave, there were recently only four actively practising endocrinologists, a number completely inadequate to meet the growing need for diabetic services. The situation is even worse in rural areas.

It’s wonderful that the B.C. government has extended support for these vital modern monitoring devices. But without the ability to access the program due to lack of access to medical specialists, too many British Columbians are going to have to remain waiting for these vital medical devices, and suffer the consequences of improperly managed diabetes. Stuart Hertzog Victoria