The story of Sai Akunuri highlights the stark choice many people with diabetes face: pay for life-saving technology or struggle to meet basic needs. Akunuri, who has type 2 diabetes, chose to prioritize his mortgage over his continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a device that tracks blood sugar levels and alerts him to potentially dangerous drops. This decision has left him fearful of hypoglycaemic episodes, which can be life-threatening. The CGM is a crucial tool for managing diabetes, especially for those who require insulin therapy. It provides real-time data and alerts, helping to prevent severe complications. However, the cost of CGMs is a significant barrier for many. While subsidised for those with type 1 diabetes, they are not for type 2, type 3c, or gestational diabetes patients, costing hundreds of dollars monthly or thousands annually. This financial burden is exacerbated by the need for frequent pin-prick tests and multiple jobs to make ends meet. Diabetes Australia advocates for expanded access to subsidised CGMs, particularly for high-priority groups like healthcare cardholders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, under-21s, and those planning pregnancy. These groups, numbering around 16,000, would require an annual investment of approximately $43 million. The federal government's 2024 diabetes inquiry recommended subsidising CGMs for a broader group, including all insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes patients, type 3c diabetes, and gestational diabetes patients, at an estimated annual cost of $950 million. Despite the fiscal constraints, Diabetes Australia CEO Justine Cain emphasises the necessity of CGMs for effective diabetes management. The potential benefits of wider CGM access are significant, according to a recent study. Improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare system pressure and costs could result from better diabetes management. Diabetes-related complications, such as emergency visits, hospitalisations, and GP treatments, currently cost the Australian healthcare system an estimated $7.3 billion annually. The story of Sai Akunuri underscores the urgent need for policy changes to ensure that all Australians with diabetes can access the life-saving technology they need without facing financial hardship.
