Manitobans suffering from diabetes were offered provincial support in the government’s 2021 budget announced earlier this month.

The province will bump up insulin pump coverage from 18 years of age to 25, and added Continuous Glucose Monitor coverage for those 25 and under.

Jen Dyck is a Winkler resident with Type-1 diabetes. She feels the offer falls short.

“It's very exciting if you're under the age of 25, but we're very confused that they've acknowledged that the Continuous Glucose Monitors will eliminate many hospital visits.”

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) allows individuals to monitor their own sugar levels constantly, with digital readouts that indicate what direction sugar levels are headed. Excessively low levels can lead to ambulance calls, hospital stays, loss of consciousness and seizures.

“Why wouldn't they want to eliminate more hospitalizations for everyone in Manitoba?” Dyck asks. “It would save the government a lot of money, It saves taxpayers money. And with the better glucose control that you get with the CGM, it would eliminate long term complications like heart disease, kidney disease and dialysis. The cost of dialysis for one person for one year is $60,000.”

Dyck says with the lack of support in Manitoba, her family may be forced to move to another province.

“For my insulin pump, the monthly costs as well as CGM and then the insulin, I pay about $700.00 a month out of pocket. It's a lot and then every five years I have to replace the actual insulin pump and that's $6,500. It's an overwhelming cost for a young family. We can't continue to do this.”

According to Dyck one of the complications of uncontrolled sugars is diabetic ketoacidosis, requiring ICU treatment that costs $20,000 per visit.

For pregnant women, well-controlled sugars is critical.

“Uncontrolled sugars during pregnancy can result in birth defects, miscarriages and still borns. A 2017 study of women with Type-1 diabetes found the use of a CGM resulted in healthier babies, shorter stays in hospital and fewer visits to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).”

A Facebook group called Emergency Diabetes Support for Manitobans is advocating for insulin pump and CGM coverage for all diabetics in the province regardless of age.

Dyck says the group has held events at the legislature interacting with MLAs, trying to get them on board.

“We have two new health ministers. They did need some education on the differences between Type 1 and Type 2," she explained. "They are very different diseases. You don't get Type-1 from eating unhealthy foods or not exercising. It's an autoimmune disease. We did a finger prick challenge. We got a bunch of the MLAs to test their blood sugar 10 times in one day. None of them loved it. It was great that they participated and I think it was quite educational.”

Long-term, Type-1 diabetics can develop nerve damage, making self-testing incredibly painful.

Dyck says their group needs help to raise awareness.

“There is still time for them to up the age limit and cover everyone within this budget, we’re really pushing for that. The way that the public can help is just by contacting your local MLA either by phone or by email. I know it's kind of overwhelming for a lot of people, but it doesn't need to be anything fancy or complicated, just a quick email telling them that you are contacting them to voice your support for CGM coverage for all ages.”