(Kenya) "More Kenyan children dying from Type 1 diabetes. Why?"

May 21, 2025, Star: More Kenyan children are dying from Type 1 diabetes. Why?

In 2024, about 570 children and young people under 20 in Kenya lost their lives to T1D.

Kenya is among the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) whose children and young people (CYP) face gross inequities when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

These are some of the key findings of a new Access to Medicine Foundation report. Without sustainable access to diabetes care, such countries are unable to manage this chronic condition, leading to severe outcomes that are entirely preventable, even as global cases of T1D among CYP are expected to reach 2.2 million by 2040.

In 2024, Kenya had approximately 6,500 children and young people (CYP) under the age of 20 living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the same year, approximately 570 CYP under the age of 20 in Kenya lost their lives due to T1D, while an estimated 1,380 were newly diagnosed.

"Hundreds of thousands of children and young people in low- and middle-income countries face significant barriers to accessing essential insulin, supplies and care for managing type 1 diabetes. While the pharmaceutical industry is engaged in the effort to bridge access gaps, as needs grow, initiatives must prioritise widespread coverage, sustainability and affordability to save lives," said Claudia Martínez, director of research, Access to Medicine Foundation.

The report analyses 11 initiatives that have been specifically established to provide diabetes care for CYP, which are varyingly backed by major insulin producers Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, as well as biosimilar insulin manufacturer Biocon. These four companies offer diverse portfolios of insulins and delivery devices, all of which are crucial for managing T1D effectively. Together, their strength in the market and unique portfolios position them to redefine access to essential products for millions worldwide. . . .

The prevalence of T1D among CYP under the age of 20 in Kenya is 23 cases per 100,000— lower than the average prevalence of 42.3 per 100,000 across the 113 low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) analysed.

Out of the 113 LMICs included in the analysis, Kenya ranks 44th in the prevalence of T1D among CYP under the age of 20.

Today, insulin remains out of reach for half of those who need it, meaning that for many CYP living with T1D in low-resource settings, diabetes care is not about effective management but mere survival. Even when they do gain access to treatment, it often falls below the standard of care offered elsewhere, highlighting stark disparities. . . .

The report says CYP's access to long-term, affordable diabetes care remains a critical challenge. To ensure continuity of care for CYP living with T1D in LMICs, Lilly and Novo Nordisk are backing initiatives that are working to adapt initiative models to better align with local needs and are collaborating with partners to transition T1D care towards government ownership.

Notably, although still in the early stages of implementation, Lilly and Life for a Child are working on improving the continuity of care for young people who age out of initiatives by extending age eligibility for support in specific countries. Despite these developments, efforts to scale and sustain access to diabetes care will not be future-proof if the issue of cost is not addressed. . . .