Kenya 44th globally in youth Type 1 Diabetes – Report

A new report by the Access to Medicine Foundation has ranked Kenya 44th in the world in the number of children and young people under 20 affected by Type 1 Diabetes.

The report reveals that approximately 6,500 children in Kenya are currently living with the condition. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 1,380 new cases and 570 deaths linked to Type 1 Diabetes.

Despite notable progress, many young people in Kenya and other comparable regions still struggle to obtain vital insulin and diabetes care, placing them at risk of avoidable health complications and even death.

"Countless children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries encounter significant obstacles in accessing life-saving insulin, essential supplies, and proper medical care," noted Claudia Martínez, the Director of Research at the Access to Medicine Foundation.

"Although pharmaceutical companies are taking steps to close these gaps, efforts must focus on long-term affordability and sustainability if they are to truly protect lives," she added.

Kenya is among 19 nations benefiting from the Life for a Child program, spearheaded by Eli Lilly, and one of 30 countries included in Novo Nordisk’s Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) initiative.

Since CDiC was launched in 2009, Kenya has remained one of its top three beneficiaries, supporting 6,100 children and upgrading 41 healthcare facilities.

Despite these gains, a recent report from the Foundation raises concerns about the sustainability of such programs, noting that most depend heavily on donor funding, posing risks to continued access should financial backing cease.

Out of the 11 diabetes programs reviewed, 10 have either set end dates or specific targets scheduled to conclude by 2030.

Additionally, the report highlights a major coverage gap: while corporate-backed programs are active in over half of low- and middle-income countries, they reached less than 10% of the 825,000 children estimated to need care in 2023.

Despite the presence of diabetes programs in several countries, a significant number of children still struggle to access proper care for the condition.

Major pharmaceutical companies such as Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Biocon are expanding their range of insulin offerings.

They’re increasing the availability of insulin analogues and improving delivery methods, including insulin pens.

These companies are also supporting efforts to build local capacity through training initiatives aimed at caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals.

"Children with type 1 diabetes face distinct hurdles that require more than just standard diabetes treatment," said Martínez.

"Tailored interventions are essential."

The Foundation has called on manufacturers to transition from donation-based models, often unreliable for sustained care, and instead support government-led strategies by offering insulin products at affordable prices and ensuring broad distribution.

Such a move, the Foundation emphasized, is critical for expanding access and ensuring children receive consistent care, no matter their location.

The findings were highlighted in a report under the Foundation’s Diabetes Care Programme, which monitors industry efforts in line with the World Health Organization’s Global Diabetes Compact