How thousands of Kenyan children with type 1 diabetes suffer in silence

The article discusses the Foundation’s findings in its newly released report, which reveals that fewer than 10% of the estimated 825,000 children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 71 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were reached by company-led initiatives in 2023. While companies such as Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk have launched promising programmes, these remain limited in scope, short-term, and heavily reliant on donations. 

The article echoes the report by noting that although some companies have introduced modern insulin options and training initiatives, the majority of CYP living in Kenya and other LMICs continue to rely on outdated forms of insulin that present logistical and safety challenges—particularly in regions with poor refrigeration and limited healthcare infrastructure. 

“Insulin remains out of reach for far too many,” Claudia Martínez, Director of Research at the Foundation, is quoted as saying. “For children in LMICs, this is not just a matter of quality of life—it is about survival.” 

The article concludes by highlighting the report’s call for both pharmaceutical companies and governments to invest in equitable, system-level changes that ensure consistent access to modern diabetes care for every child in need.