Manitoba Parents Demand School Staff Training for Diabetic Care

Parents in Manitoba are advocating for enhanced training for school staff to assist students with diabetes, specifically in administering insulin treatments. This call to action follows the personal struggles of parents like Stephanie Biegun, whose son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in March 2024. Biegun shared her experience at the provincial legislature, highlighting the difficulties many families face when school personnel are unable to provide necessary medical support.

Biegun, who was compelled to resign from her job to care for her son, emphasized the financial strain of choosing between employment and health care. She stated, “It’s hard to choose health care over food on your table,” explaining that she often had to leave work for extended periods to help manage her son’s insulin pump, which requires adjustments before meals.

The issue has gained traction among other parents of children with diabetes and the Progressive Conservative party’s health critic, Kathleen Cook. Cook urged the provincial government to follow the examples set by other regions, such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia, which have implemented training programs for school staff to effectively administer diabetes medication. “Right now, if a child is too young to adjust their insulin pump at lunchtime, school staff cannot assist them,” Cook stated.

Parents argue that administering insulin is a quick process, yet they are often forced to leave their jobs to ensure their children receive the care they need. Biegun pointed out that trained staff in Manitoba are already authorized to dispense other critical medications, such as EpiPens for anaphylactic reactions. “Insulin is a life-saving measure as well — so why can’t that be given at school as well?” she asked.

At the legislature, the province’s Health Minister, Uzoma Asagwara, acknowledged the challenges of diabetic care in schools. The Manitoba government has initiated steps to improve support for diabetic students, including collaboration with the federal government to incorporate diabetes medication into its pharmacare program. In last year’s budget, the province allocated $500,000 towards a diabetes action plan aimed at enhancing care services.

In addition, Diabetes Canada recently released guidelines specific to schools, recommending management plans that detail the necessary training for school personnel. Asagwara indicated that these guidelines will be instrumental in determining the best ways to support children living with diabetes, stating, “We don’t want a chronic condition like diabetes to hold any child back.”

The concerns of parents like Christy Peterson, whose daughter has diabetes, underscore the urgent need for action. Peterson expressed frustration with the slow response from the government, noting that families have repeatedly requested assistance with diabetes management in schools, only to be met with bureaucratic delays. “It has been a lot of ‘we’re working on it,'” she said. “But this is every day for us, so it needs to be sooner than ‘we’re working on it.'”

For many parents, the challenge of balancing work and caregiving continues to impact their livelihoods. Peterson described the emotional burden of having to leave work daily to help her daughter with insulin administration. “It’s heartbreaking to have to gauge whether or not I can maintain my livelihood or my child’s health care,” she lamented.

As Manitoba navigates the complexities of health care in educational settings, the voices of parents advocating for better support for diabetic students highlight the critical intersection of health care and education. The province’s next steps will be closely monitored as families seek more accessible and effective management of diabetes in schools.