Diabetes Technology Discussion Forum: Empowering Voices

Diabetes Technology Discussion Forum: Empowering Voices

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have revolutionised diabetes management, transforming the daily lives of countless individuals. Yet, for many in Hong Kong, the high cost remains a significant barrier, preventing access to this life-changing technology.

YDA, in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), organised a Diabetes Technology Discussion Forum, titled “Empowering Progress: Achieving Equitable Access to Diabetes Technology in Hong Kong”, uniting YDA members, healthcare professionals, academics, and CGM manufacturers in a powerful conversation about the urgent need for accessible diabetes technology.

We were privileged to hear from distinguished international experts, including Professor Partha Kar (UK), Dr Daphne Gardner (Singapore), and Professor Alicia Jenkins (Australia), alongside local leaders Dr Elaine Chow and Dr Juliana Lui from CUHK. The forum was further honoured by the presence of the Hon Dr David Lam, Legislative Council member.

Key takeaways from the forum revealed:

• Research shows CGMs can reduce HbA1c by 0.5–1%, dramatically lowering the risk of complications and hypoglycaemic episodes, while improving quality of life and easing long-term healthcare burdens.
• Only 10% of children and young people with Type 1 diabetes in Hong Kong currently use CGMs — far behind the nearly 25% in other developed countries
• Without widespread CGM access, it is impossible to reduce HbA1c levels or prevent complications at a population level
• People living with diabetes must be at the forefront of advocacy, empowered to share their stories and drive awareness
• Collaboration among all stakeholders — patients, healthcare providers, policymakers, and industry — is essential to ensure that the voices of people with diabetes shape funding and policy decisions
• Cost-effectiveness analyses show that CGMs are economically viable, with significant long-term savings from reduced complications, supporting the case for government subsidies

You can read the full Forum Summary here.

The forum was more than a discussion; it was a call to action. It amplified the voices of those living with Type 1 diabetes and strengthened our collective resolve to fight for sustainable, equitable access to CGMs in Hong Kong.

What can you do?

Your voice matters — it is a powerful tool for change. We urge you to join us in calling on the Hong Kong Government to subsidise CGMs for people with Type 1 diabetes. Together, we can turn hope into action and ensure that no one with Type 1 diabetes is left behind.