A new report has revealed a troubling healthcare gap affecting children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya. Despite advances in diabetes care globally, the majority of children in these regions still struggle to access insulin and essential diabetes management tools.
In Kenya, thousands of children live with T1D in silence, lacking consistent access to life-saving insulin and modern equipment necessary for proper care. Global efforts, including programs led by major pharmaceutical companies, are currently reaching only a small fraction of those in need. Of the estimated 825,000 children living with Type 1 Diabetes across 71 low- and middle-income countries, less than 10% benefit from existing support initiatives.
The challenge is multifaceted. Many children in Kenya still depend on older forms of insulin that require refrigeration and precise dosing. These factors pose serious problems in areas with unreliable electricity and limited access to trained healthcare professionals. Although newer treatments, such as insulin analogues and modern insulin pens, are more effective and easier to use, they remain largely unavailable to the majority of patients due to cost and supply chain issues.
In addition to limited medicine access, there is a lack of awareness and support within communities and schools. Some educational initiatives have aimed to fill this gap by training teachers and school staff to assist children with diabetes. Others have focused on improving healthcare infrastructure and supplying essential monitoring devices like glucose meters and test strips. However, many of these programs are temporary and heavily reliant on donations from pharmaceutical companies and NGOs.
Ten out of eleven current diabetes care initiatives in these regions are scheduled to end within the next five years. This raises critical concerns about the sustainability of care for children currently dependent on these programs. If support is withdrawn without adequate local systems in place, thousands of children could abruptly lose access to life-sustaining insulin and medical guidance.
Some progress has been made through partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and national governments, aiming to integrate diabetes care into public health systems. A few companies have taken steps to improve long-term support by removing age restrictions, allowing young adults to continue receiving care beyond childhood. However, such efforts remain limited and insufficient to meet the scale of the problem.
The underlying issue remains the high cost and limited availability of insulin. Insulin is still beyond reach for half of the people who need it worldwide. For many Kenyan families, the financial burden of purchasing insulin and associated supplies is simply too great. Without reliable access to these essentials, managing diabetes becomes a daily struggle for survival.
Calls are growing for a shift in approach away from temporary aid toward sustainable, affordable healthcare systems. There is an urgent need for pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of insulin and expand access to modern treatment tools. Solutions must be child-focused and tailored to the realities of low-resource settings.
The tools and knowledge to address this crisis exist. What is needed now is collective action governments, companies, and civil society must come together to create lasting solutions. Until then, thousands of children in Kenya and other developing countries will continue to face the devastating reality of managing a life-threatening condition without the care they desperately need.
