A public diabetes forum today shed light on the challenges faced by people with diabetes, what more can be done at national and European level, and provided a forum for dialogue among young people.

The event was opened by the President of Malta, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, who highlighted the importance of such initiatives to give visibility to the experiences of people living with this condition.

Expressing her appreciation to health professionals, patient organisations and volunteers for their work with people with diabetes and their families, the President urged that discussion and learning about this condition be given importance even in schools, to further strengthen development of care and knowledge.

“I call on our schools to give the necessary support to children and young people so they do not feel excluded, to give them courage,” said the President of the Republic.

MEP Peter Agius, member of the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee, focused on the work being done in the EP and how this could benefit Maltese people living with this condition.

“In Malta we have 48,000 people living every day with diabetes, and we have an obligation to see that they have the best care. In the European Parliament I am pushing for equity in treatment for Maltese as Europeans,” he said. “Great advances have already been made in Malta and we recognise this, but we can aim to have better care, with technology better used to improve patients’ lives, but also much more prevention, particularly when we know that Malta is the country with the highest rate of obesity”.

MEP Agius stressed the need to extend the Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to people with Type 2 diabetes, to provide the free insulin pump for people with diabetes of all ages and to set up the national registry of people with diabetes and pre-diabetes conditions, in support of the positions expressed by medical experts and people with diabetes who participated in the discussions.

In the medical and political discussions the importance of raising awareness of the condition was highlighted, highlighting the likelihood that many cases of undiagnosed diabetes exist and the genetic predisposition of the Maltese that puts people at increased risk of diabetes, a poor diet that exacerbates pre-diabetes to diabetes, and its related complications, including a higher risk of heart and liver disease, stroke, and eyesight problems.

“In addition to the medical, social and health aspects, the economic aspect is also important,” said Dr Stephen Spiteri, MP. “An early diagnosis avoids the condition getting to the point of health complications, and that would be a success for our health system”.

Dr Renzo Degabriele, Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Health, noted that healthcare is being introduced according to the population bands that need it most, such as children and pregnant women. He concluded that “targeted measures according to advances in medicine is the prescription that we must follow”.

MEP Agius stressed the importance of access by Maltese patients to medicine wherever it is being sold in Europe, on which facilitation work is ongoing in the European Parliament. Legislative work is also ongoing for the EU to bulk buy, which would greatly lower prices of medicines and devices needed.

He also called for testing for diabetes in village pharmacies.

“Early action against diabetes saves lives,” said President of the Malta Association against Diabetes Chris Delicata. “Together we must ensure that every person living with diabetes receives the care, treatment and support they need to live a better life.”

Centre-stage in the afternoon was for the European Youth Forum brought to Malta by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe, to celebrate World Diabetes Day 2026.

“In collaboration with the Maltese Diabetes Association, the Forum brings together young diabetes advocates from across Europe, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen their engagement in European policymaking and work together to advance the diabetes advocacy agenda at EU level,” said IDF Europe’s Jaivir Palli.

European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, addressing the forum via video, emphasised that the ideas brought forward by young people – including more awareness and youth-friendly care and mental health support – will be reflected in the upcoming European Strategy on diabetes that he will present in early 2027.

“My message to young people living with diabetes is clear: keep speaking up. Your experience will help us build a Europe that shows up for you”.

Today’s forum was held at the San Anton Palace, and organised by MEP Peter Agius’ office, the Office of the European Parliament, the Malta Association against Diabetes and IDF Europe.