Free Diabetic Supplies

Insulin pumps are life savers for some people with type 1 diabetes.  They are designed to deliver insulin at a steady rate to an individual that needs it.  The cost of an insulin pump is no small thing.  The pump itself is about $6,000 and the insulin and other supplies that go with the pump costs about $3,500 to $4,000 per year.  As a result, many individuals on limited incomes who need the pumps cannot afford them.

In most cases these pumps are the difference between life and death.  They are used to help maintain kidney function and prevent kidney failure and to prevent heart attack and stroke. 

Ontario, Canada recently began a special project which will ensure that all of its citizens who have type 1 diabetes receive a pump along with all supplies for free.  This program makes Ontario one of the first places in the world to address this issue in such a far-reaching way.

By removing the financial barriers for those with type 1 diabetes so that they can acquire their insulin pump, Ontario has taken diabetes management to a new level, and has become a world leader in this area.

When thinking about the cost of the program, Ontario considers this a good investment.  After all, by spending $741 million dollars for the program, Ontario is certainly saving much more than that amount by delaying or eliminating the possibility of surgery of various types, amputation and limb replacement, kidney transplants, dialysis, open heart surgery, recovery from stroke, aneurism and other  products of diabetes.

In addition to the insulin pump program for type 1 diabetes, a vast educational program regarding type 2 diabetes has been announced.  The idea behind the program is for Ontarians to have the information, tools and skills they need to become full partners in managing their diabetes.

With Ontario, Canada leading the way, it should not be long before other cities around the world follow suit in the fight against one of the world’s leading killers.