CGM ACCESS PETITION
Give Continuous Glucose Monitor access to children under 18,
living with Type 1 Diabetes, within the public healthcare system.
Official Petition Handover
On Wednesday, 12 November we had the incredibly unique opportunity to hand over the CGM access petition, evidence and letters of support to Ms Jeanette Hunter - the Deputy Director General for Primary Health Care at the National Department of Health for South Africa.
Ms Jeanette Hunter received the proposal and engaged positively stating that “We accept the petition and we will start this conversation as soon as possible”.
As next step, we have requested that a multi-stakeholder working group be convened including representatives from the National Department of Health, clinical experts, civil society, and patient advocates to discuss feasible pathways for CGM access for children under 18, and integration into national diabetes care guidelines.
SA Diabetes Advocacy wants to thank you for lending your voice to this campaign, this milestone would not have been possible without you - our voices have been heard and this is just the start!
About the Petition
Living with Type 1 Diabetes is a constant challenge, especially for children who endure multiple daily insulin injections and painful fingersticks to monitor blood glucose levels. Parents often take on this burden, even waking their children at night to prevent hypoglycaemia, as the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)—a potentially fatal complication—is ever-present.
However, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology offers a pain-free, effective alternative, tracking glucose levels 24/7 and enabling better management, improved quality of life, and reduced long-term complications such as eye, kidney, and heart damage.
This petition calls on South Africa’s National Department of Health to provide CGM access to all children under 18, living with Type 1 Diabetes. Your signature and sharing this petition can help secure this life-changing support for children with diabetes and their families.
*The image on the left represents one month of injections and fingersticks for a child with Type 1 Diabetes.
Image Credit: Dr Michelle Carrihill.
