P.E.I.'s lack of funding for insulin pumps 'disgraceful'

The official Opposition on P.E.I. wants to know why uptake has been so low in a provincial program to buy insulin pumps for Islanders with type-1 diabetes.

The province unveiled the program in 2014 with a budget of $400,000 a year.

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But over the last two years, only about 10 per cent of the money has been spent.

"In two years, it should have been $800,000. What did this government do? They spent $85,000. Disgraceful," said Opposition health critic James Aylward.

P.E.I. only provides funding for insulin pumps for children 18 and younger. But the Canadian Diabetes Association said if P.E.I. wanted to expand eligibility for the program, the budget of $400,000 a year would be enough to provide insulin pumps for all Islanders who need them.

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