A new petition by SA Diabetes Advocacy, supported by national campaign partners in the diabetes space, is urging the National Department of Health (NDoH) to prioritize access to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) for all South African children under the age of 18 living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
The Challenges of Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Managing Type 1 Diabetes is complex, requiring constant monitoring and multiple insulin injections daily. For children, this burden is even greater—not only must they inject insulin every time they eat, but they also have to prick their fingers several times a day, including at night, to check their blood glucose levels. Without proper monitoring, their glucose levels can become dangerously high or low, increasing the risk of severe complications.
The Solution: Internationally Recognized Technology
Globally, CGM is regarded as the standard of care for Type 1 Diabetes, offering real-time glucose tracking without the need for painful and frequent finger pricks. This technology empowers children and their caregivers to manage diabetes more effectively, improving their quality of life and long-term health outcomes.
Despite its proven benefits, CGM is currently unavailable in the South African public healthcare sector for children with Type 1 Diabetes. Instead, they rely on traditional fingerstick glucose tests, which provide only single-point readings rather than continuous data, making accurate and timely insulin adjustments more challenging.
A Smart Investment for the Healthcare System
Concerns around cost have been cited as a barrier to implementing CGM in the public sector. However, research suggests that investing in CGM could lead to long-term savings for the healthcare system by reducing emergency hospital admissions for complications such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that frequently results in costly hospital stays. Additionally, improved diabetes management through CGM could help prevent long-term complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision loss, ultimately lowering healthcare costs.
A Unified Call for Change
In response to these challenges, SA Diabetes Advocacy, along with key partners—including Diabetes SA, Sweet Life, Kids Powered by Insulin, YT1, SEMDSA, Paeds-SA, Diabetes Alliance, and FIND—has launched a petition calling for the inclusion of CGM in the public healthcare system. Since its launch on Tuesday, February 25th, the petition has already gained significant public support, with over 2800 people signing in solidarity.
“We believe that every child with Type 1 Diabetes deserves access to the best possible care, regardless of their economic background,” says Kirsten de Klerk, chairperson of SA Diabetes Advocacy. “This petition is about advocating for a practical, evidence-based solution that will improve health outcomes and give children living with diabetes the opportunity to thrive.”
Beyond individual health benefits, expanding access to CGM would support broader societal goals, ensuring that children with Type 1 Diabetes can fully participate in education, achieve their potential, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Join the Movement
To learn more about this important initiative and sign the petition, visit https://www.diabetesadvocacy.org.za/cgm-access-petition
