בשורה לחולי סוכרת: רפורמה בזכאות לסנסורים מעל גיל 18

The pharmaceutical basket committee decided that from now on, type 1 diabetes patients (youths) over the age of 18 will be able to receive a sensor (sensor) without proving hypoglycemia twice or more. This is a sensor that injects insulin in a programmed manner, to prevent hypoglycemia attacks.

The reform of the entitlements of type 1 diabetes patients, who were diagnosed with the disease before the age of 18, was carried out through pressure from the association " Metokim Lederech " together with other diabetes patient organizations in Israel. Until recently, juvenile diabetes patients over the age of 18 did not receive clinic services, did not receive new sensors and did not receive replacements for the sensor and ongoing operation.

A continuous blood sugar monitoring device contains consumable components such as sensors , which must be replaced every 5-6 days. The device also includes additional components, which must be replaced from time to time, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The device is connected to the body and warns against sugar drops , sugar level abnormalities (hypoglycemia / hyperglycemia), even at night. An endocrinologist and the HMO can approve the supply of a sugar monitoring meter for diabetic patients.

Diabetics who do not wish to use a device attached to their body regularly, perform the sugar level test using a glucometer . It is a portable device that requires the patient to prick himself with a needle, in order to drip a drop of blood onto a stick attached to the device.

The representatives of the diabetics asked the basket of medicines committee to approve the introduction of a closed circuit hybrid system , also known as an "artificial pancreas". This is a new and expensive device, which is not included in the updated medicine basket, as of January 2020.

Type 1 diabetes develops as a result of a lack of insulin, due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas. The new hybrid system is able to accurately adjust the insulin level according to the glucose level in the body, in real time and personally for each patient.

An example of a hybrid system of the "artificial pancreas" type is the Minimed 670G system , from Medtronic. In English, this product is called MiniMed 670G Insulin Pump System. It is actually a smart insulin pump, which tries to imitate the behavior of a healthy pancreas in the human body.

Medical rights of diabetic patients

Type 1 diabetics are also entitled to the following products and services:

• insulin pump
• consumable items
• Continuous glucose meter (sensor / sensor) – children, women and men
• Freestyle Libra (monitoring sugar levels by scanning)
• Consultation of a nutritionist
• Deductible ceiling (chronic patient)
• Drug approval within 4 days
• Exemption from paying for a doctor's visit
• Equipment supplied by the Ministry of Health

Diabetes is now recognized as a "global epidemic" according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Today there are approximately 463 million diabetics in the world, and in 2045 their number is expected to increase to approximately 700 million diabetics. There are about 550,000 diabetics in Israel, and their number is expected to increase according to the global trend. Within a decade, every third child in Israel is expected to be diabetic by the time he reaches the age of 50.

The three main risk factors for children and youth to get diabetes:

1. Lack of physical activity (sports, gymnastics, fitness)
2. Sitting and watching screens and computers
3. Consumption of sugary drinks and high-sugar foods

Many diabetics suffer from accompanying health problems, complications and dysfunctions, which impair their work.
If diabetes has affected your function and your livelihood, contact "Zakhuti" .