Charter promotes rights of people with diabetes

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) today launched the first ever Charter setting out the fundamental rights of more than 300 million people living with diabetes.

The landmark document places the rights of people with diabetes, their parents and carers into three focus areas; the rights to care; information and education and social justice, whilst at the same time acknowledging the responsibilities held by people with diabetes.

Publication of the International Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of People with Diabetes comes at a crucial time. As the global diabetes epidemic continues to escalate, IDF estimates that the number of people with diabetes will rise to 500 million within a generation, killing 4 million people each year and costing the global economy US$378 billion in health care spending.

Powerful campaigning tool

IDF will use the Charter as a powerful campaigning tool to counteract the discrimination and stigma millions of people with diabetes still face, largely due to ignorance and misconceptions surrounding the disease.  In many parts of the world, this promotes a culture of secrecy that can create barriers to services, employment, and even marriage, and may stop people with diabetes playing an active role in society.

Raising awareness about the rights of people with diabetes is a key element of IDF’s demand for coordinated and concerted international action to tackle the diabetes epidemic before, during and after the UN High Level Summit on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to be held this September in New York. 

“Both children and adults alike are denied both the rights to life and health when their diabetes goes undetected or they lack access to affordable technologies and medicines such as insulin, oral blood glucose lowering agents and other necessary medications” said Sir Michael Hirst, President-Elect, IDF.

'Clear guidance'

“This is a ground-breaking document that gives governments and organisations clear guidance on what the fundamental rights to life, health and freedom from discrimination mean to people with diabetes. It is a gold standard to which they should aspire.”

Articles contained within the Charter urge governments and public authorities to commit to making health care accessible for all and creating conditions that allow people with diabetes to have as normal a life as possible.

IDF encourages all governments and organisations to sign-up to and aspire to the Charter principles which underpin the rights to life and health for all people with diabetes.

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