20,450. This is the number of people with diabetes in Corsica, according to the National Health Data System. A figure that is increasing significantly each year, with a prevalence rate of 6.56%, well above the national average of 6.13%. And so many patients to support in the fight against this pathology. To help them, Rose-Marie Pasqualaggi created the Association of Diabetics of Corsica (AFD20), a “patient association serving patients. We support people from the moment they discover their diabetes“, she explains. Concretely, AFD20 organizes several workshops throughout the year: “One of the first is a workshop on patients’ rights, where they can meet a social worker.”It also exists”a carbohydrate counting workshop. They learn about the level of carbohydrates present in different foods.” The association also organizes diabetes cafés to promote cohesion among its members.
To support people affected by this disease, AFD20 can count on the support of the Valicelli clinic, located in Ocana and specialized in the treatment of diabetes. “We collaborate with the clinic, in particular to offer nutritional rebalancing to patients“, specifies Rose-Marie Pasqualaggi. In 2023, 186 people with type 2 diabetes were hospitalized at the Valicelli clinic, thus benefiting from a therapeutic education program dedicated to their pathology, including medical, dietary and physical activities .
“Since 2015, we have also offered insulin therapy sessions thanks to our collaboration with the Valicelli clinic“, indicates Rose-Marie Pasqualaggi. Insulin therapy consists of the regular injection of insulin to quickly lower blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient. In addition to these regular sessions, some patients have to live with an insulin pump which calculates their blood sugar level and regulates it automatically, especially at night.The problem is that these pumps must be installed and checked once a year on the continentunderlines the President of AFD20. Patients must leave for a day. However, recently, the Valicelli clinic has become a relay center: This allows them to monitor patients directly in Corsica, instead of sending them to the continent.” But despite advances in Corsica in the treatment of diabetes, certain problems persist.
In Corsica, a severe lack of specialists
“Diabetic patients treated in pediatrics are forced to go to the continent to be treated,” explains Rose-Marie Pasqualaggi. For the president of the Diabetics Association of Corsica, the biggest problem lies in the limited number of specialists on the island. “In Bastia, two doctors are retiring at the end of December. In Ajaccio, two practitioners are also due to retire, but they refuse to prevent patients from being left without a solution.” A lack of specialized doctors which constitutes a real problem when more than 20,000 Corsicans suffer from diabetes – 90% of whom are type 2 – and this disease is constantly progressing on the island, particularly among men and young people under 20 years and people aged over 80, according to the National Health Data System.
Another difficulty for the Association of Diabetics of Corsica: the lack of volunteers to lead the workshops. “Unfortunately, the workshops we offer are currently only held in Ajaccio.,” deplores Rose-Marie Pasqualaggi. The president of AFD20 nevertheless continues her fight to support diabetics throughout the island. The association is also organizing the 9th edition of its Diabetes Fair on Saturday, November 23, from 10 a.m. at 7 p.m., at the Porticcio village hall, to raise awareness among as many people as possible about this widespread disease. On the program: conferences and practical workshops on diabetes, free blood sugar screening, fun and interactive activities, presence of the Cascadeuses, participants in Corsica. Raid Femina 2025 for the Diabetes Association of Corsica, as well as health professionals such as endocrinologists, dieticians or diabetologists, in order to best support anyone looking for information on diabetes.
