Kenya ranks 44th among 113 low- and middle-income countries in the prevalence of type 1 diabetes among children and young people under 20, a new report by the Access to Medicine Foundation has found.

The country has about 6,500 children living with the condition, with 570 reported deaths and 1,380 new diagnoses in 2024 alone.

Despite improvements, access to essential insulin and diabetes care remains out of reach for many, leaving young people in Kenya and similar settings at risk of preventable complications or death.

“Hundreds of thousands of children and young people in low- and middle-income countries face barriers to accessing essential insulin, supplies and care,” said Claudia Martínez, Director of Research at the Access to Medicine Foundation.

“While the pharmaceutical industry is engaged in bridging access gaps, initiatives must prioritise sustainability and affordability to save lives.”

Kenya is one of 19 countries supported by the Life for a Child initiative, led by Eli Lilly, and one of 30 countries where Novo Nordisk’s Changing Diabetes in Children initiative operates.

Since its 2009 launch, Kenya has ranked among the top three CDiC beneficiaries, with 6,100 children reached and 41 clinics refurbished.

However, the Foundation’s report warns that most initiatives rely heavily on donations, which could jeopardise long-term access if support is withdrawn.

Ten out of the 11 diabetes care programs assessed have either fixed end dates or defined goals that conclude before or by 2030.

The report also found that while over half of the LMICs are covered by company-backed initiatives, fewer than 10 per cent of the estimated 825,000 children in need were reached in 2023.

Even in countries where programs operate, many children still lack access to diabetes care.

Companies including Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Biocon are diversifying insulin products offered, expanding access to analogues and delivery devices such as pens.

 They are also investing in capacity-building efforts like training for families, teachers and healthcare staff.

“Children face unique challenges in managing type 1 diabetes. Dedicated initiatives are vital to support them beyond general diabetes care,” said Martínez.

The Foundation urged companies to move away from donation-based models, which limit continuity, and instead support government-led approaches by making products affordable and widely available.

This shift, it noted, is necessary to scale up access and deliver long-term care for children regardless of where they live.

The report is part of the Foundation’s Diabetes Care Programme, which tracks and evaluates industry action aligned with the World Health Organization’s Global Diabetes Compact.