Children with type 1 diabetes in LMICs struggle for lifesaving care, new report reveals

The article summarises key findings of the Foundation’s recent report, which analyses 11 company-backed initiatives providing diabetes care to children and young people (CYP) living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It highlights significant inequalities in access to essential diabetes care, noting that these initiatives are reaching only a small proportion of the CYP in need across LMICs. 

The article also emphasises that the continued reliance on human insulin in vials, which requires refrigeration and precise manual dosing, remains a major obstacle in resource-limited settings. It reflects the report’s acknowledgement that while companies such as Biocon, Lilly and Novo Nordisk have started to introduce insulin analogues and pen devices, access to these modern treatments remains limited. 

Further, the article conveys the report’s concerns over long-term sustainability: all 11 initiatives partly rely on donations, with ten scheduled to end within five years. Quoting Claudia Martínez, Director of Research at the Foundation, it highlights that “while donations have a meaningful impact, they create uncertainty. If a company pulls support, thousands of children could suddenly lose access to critical care.” 

Closing the article, Martínez is quoted saying, “Today, insulin remains out of reach for half of those who need it. This means for many children, managing diabetes isn’t about thriving—it’s about surviving. That needs to change.”