Celiac disease patients dissatisfied with proposed government cuts in Finland

Celiac disease patients are expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s proposed cuts. The government suggests that compensation for gluten-free foods should be limited to individuals over the age of 16 who receive the basic social assistance. According to the Celiac Society, only a small percentage of those affected by the condition are on basic social assistance, which means many low-income individuals, including students and those with small pensions or salaries, would miss out.

In the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s public finance plan for 2025-2027, €10 million was earmarked for celiac compensation. However, Finance Minister Riikka Purra’s budget proposal for the coming year allocates only €9 million. Earlier this spring, Yle reported that the exact form of this compensation had yet to be determined.

One person greatly affected by these cuts is Mika Niemi from Pirkkala, whose son, Niko, was diagnosed with celiac disease at the age of six. Currently, those under 16 can receive disability support of over €100 per month due to celiac disease, which has been crucial for Niemi’s family, as their gluten-free food expenses can be three times higher than a regular diet.

Niemi noted that although the variety of gluten-free products has increased slightly in the past decade, they remain expensive. He mentioned that growing teenagers require substantial amounts of food, resulting in a significant financial burden.

Niina Puronurmi, the director of the Celiac Society, criticized the proposed €25 monthly compensation, believing it is insufficient for the approximately 40,000 people with celiac disease in Finland. Without support, she warned of potential health risks for those unable to maintain a strict gluten-free diet, which not only impacts individuals but also incurs costs for society as a whole.