Summary:

• Diabetes patients face soaring costs for essential medication and care, especially with insulin prices surging. Grace Adiba ‘s story highlights the financial strain and lack of government intervention. Urgent action is needed to make treatment more affordable and accessible.

KAMPALA, (Examiner) – Patients grappling with diabetes are facing an uphill battle against skyrocketing costs for vital medication and healthcare services. The surge in insulin prices has left many struggling to manage their condition, raising urgent concerns about public health and the need for immediate government intervention.

Grace Adiba‘s journey with diabetes began at the age of 13, when she started experiencing symptoms like excessive thirst and frequent urination. However, unaware of her condition, she initially dismissed these signs. It wasn’t until she was rushed to the hospital due to weakness that she discovered she had Type 1 Diabetes, a condition that requires daily insulin administration.

Type 1 diabetes, characterized by deficient insulin production, necessitates lifelong insulin therapy. Despite advancements in healthcare, the cost of insulin remains prohibitively high for many patients. Grace recounts the financial strain on her family and the challenges of affording essential supplies, with a single insulin vial priced at around 30,000 Shillings and each syringe at 700 Shillings.

While Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented through lifestyle changes, treatment for diabetes is lifelong and expensive. “The cost is really high, and it’s putting a strain on patients and their families,” Adiba explains. “Insulin vials and syringes are expensive, and many struggle to afford them.”

“I got fed up and wanted to commit suicide because of the pain,” she reveals.

Despite efforts to prevent and manage diabetes through lifestyle changes, the burden of treatment remains high, particularly in low-income countries like Uganda. Adiba’s story sheds light on the urgent need for affordable healthcare and government support to alleviate the financial strain on patients and families grappling with diabetes.

Dr. Hafsa Kasule, a technical advisor for non-communicable diseases at the World Health Organization Uganda office, highlights the prevalence of diabetes in Uganda and the lack of adequate equipment for diagnosis and treatment. The condition not only poses immediate health risks but also increases the likelihood of long-term complications such as cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure.

“The prevalence of diabetes in Uganda could be higher than documented,” says Dr. Kasule. “Access to essential equipment like glucometers for testing blood sugar levels is limited, especially in regional and primary healthcare facilities.”

Type 1 diabetes, previously known as insulin-dependent juvenile diabetes, requires daily administration of insulin. In 2017, there were 9 million people living with Type 1 diabetes, the majority in high-income countries. However, the actual prevalence could be higher, as noted by Dr. Kasule from the World Health Organization’s Uganda office.

In 2019, diabetes was directly responsible for 1.5 million deaths globally, with a significant portion occurring before the age of 70. Complications from diabetes, such as kidney disease and cardiovascular issues, further contribute to the mortality rate.

As diabetes-related deaths continue to rise, there is a pressing call for sustainable solutions to ensure access to affordable medication and healthcare services for all individuals living with this chronic condition.