“Insulin for All” type 1 diabetes project to be piloted in Pakistan

In a groundbreaking initiative for diabetes care in Pakistan, a pilot project – “Insulin for All” – will provide insulin to children living with type 1 diabetes in three districts of the Punjab province. On the directive of Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, children with type 1 diabetes will receive home insulin delivery.

This initiative represents an important milestone in access to insulin for underserved communities in Pakistan’s most populous province. Parents and carers of children with type 1 diabetes can register for free insulin through a hotline and at local NCD clinics.

Figures released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2021 indicate that 5,600 children and adolescents live with diabetes in Pakistan. According to a study released in 2022, the availability of insulin in Pakistan fell short of the WHO benchmark of 80% and was unaffordable in both private and government sectors. Recommendations to increase insulin access included government optimisation of insulin procurement at all levels, promoting local production, prescribing biosimilar insulin and granting financial subsidies.

The programme draws inspiration from the “Promise of Insulin” initiative developed by Meethi Zindagi, a national non-profit organisation founded and led by Sana Ajmal, a diabetes advocate and former Vice President of the IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) Programme.

Key features of the programme include issuing insulin cards to children and ensuring uninterrupted access to treatment. This initiative demonstrates that collaboration between advocates and policymakers can result in inclusive public health policies.