Breaking the barriers: Expanding access to holistic Type 1 Diabetes care in the Philippines

To improve the lives of children and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes, Novo Nordisk Philippines, in partnership with Roche Diabetes Care and Humanity & Inclusion, launched the Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) program, piloting in Valenzuela City. The program involves a five-year plan that aims to provide comprehensive patient education, strengthen the health workforce, establish a network of clinic facilities, and ensure access to free insulin and medical supplies for children and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that about 5-10% of diabetes cases are Type 1 or juvenile diabetes. This means that thousands of children and young adults are born with the inability to produce their own insulin, causing uncontrolled blood sugar levels and lifetime dependency on insulin treatments.

For thousands of Filipino families with children and young adults living with Type 1 Diabetes, managing this condition is a daily struggle. The lack of financial resources, limited access to essential medications in local communities, and insufficient awareness about the condition have made the fight against Type 1 Diabetes an uphill battle.

Children and young adults born with Type 1 Diabetes need insulin shots or use an insulin pump, along with regular monitoring of their blood glucose to survive and manage their condition every day. The uncontrolled spikes and lows of blood sugar can lead to serious health complications and untimely death if left untreated.

Moreover, the lack of reliable local data on Type 1 Diabetes obscures the true extent of this chronic condition in the country, making it challenging to implement support programs and allocate resources to address the specific needs of this vulnerable population.

The CDiC program aims to change this story and solve these barriers through comprehensive partnerships between the private and public sectors, making diabetes care more equitable to low- and middle-income families.

“Type 1 Diabetes is manageable. No child should suffer or die from this condition,” said Anand Shetty, Corporate Vice President of Novo Nordisk Southeast Asia. “The Changing Diabetes® in Children program can help create this supportive environment for children and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes so they can achieve fulfilling lives despite having this serious chronic condition.”

Novo Nordisk Philippines, together with Humanity & Inclusion and Roche Diabetes Care and supported by the Royal Danish Embassy Manila, forged their commitment to providing quality of care to the City of Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines. The children were provided with the symbol of hope that in their Type 1 Diabetes journey, they are not alone and through this program, they can live a fulfilling life.

Through this initiative, children and young adults aged 0-25 with Type 1 Diabetes will have free access to life-saving medicine and medical devices, including insulin, glucose monitoring systems, and medical supplies in their local communities.

“CDiC is a testament to our commitment to improving the lives of people with diabetes, especially the most vulnerable among us – our children. Together with our partners in health, we hope to drive change in diabetes amongst Filipino children and young adults,” said Wei Sun, Vice President & General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines.

Aside from free medicines, the program is designed to address the pressing issues in diabetes care in developing countries. Through comprehensive patient education, people living with Type 1 Diabetes and their families are empowered to have more control over diabetes management and know that they matter and can make a difference. The CDiC program also aims to equip healthcare workers with a deeper understanding of Type 1 Diabetes and its management through comprehensive training and resources. By fostering a well-informed community, the program not only improves health outcomes but builds the confidence and resilience needed to navigate the challenges of living with this condition.

By establishing a network of facilities equipped to diagnose and treat Type 1 Diabetes, thousands of Filipino children will have better access to regular checkups and timely care – a factor that is essential in preventing misdiagnosis and delay in the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes that often leads to premature death.

“Children and young adults are a nation’s future. All of us at Roche are committed to building a sustainable continuum of care together with our partners. We believe that together, we can improve access to essential diabetes care in local communities that will empower children living with Type 1 Diabetes to grow up well and achieve their dreams,” said Bryan Koh, Cluster Head of Asia Emerging Markets, Roche Diabetes Care.

“Through the CDiC program, we will ensure that children with or without disabilities who are living with Type 1 Diabetes have access to essential health information and services,” said Melanie Ruiz, Country Manager of Humanity & Inclusion. “Our goal is to make diabetes care more accessible, addressing barriers in their journey to seeking healthcare, so every child has a fair opportunity to reach their full potential.”

The launch and success of this project in Valenzuela City will be the benchmark for future CDiC programs in different regions of the country. By registering in the program, this act will lay the foundation for future policymaking, efficient resource allocation, and targeted intervention strategies that will further improve the lives of children and young adults living with Type 1 Diabetes in the years to come.

“In Valenzuela City, the health of our constituents is our top priority. We are committed to supporting initiatives that will elevate the lives of our children and young adults regardless of their status in life,” said Wes Gatchalian, City Mayor of Valenzuela. “We want to build a future where no one is left behind, especially when it comes to healthcare.”

Novo Nordisk Philippines, together with Humanity & Inclusion and Roche Diabetes Care and supported by the Royal Danish Embassy Manila, forged their commitment to providing quality of care to the City of Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines. This painting is handed over to the partners to symbolize that together, we can make a difference in children & young adults living with Type 1 Diabetes.

More than just a healthcare initiative, Changing Diabetes® in Children is a movement toward a better future for children and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes in the Philippines. By breaking barriers and providing comprehensive support, the program aims to transform the diabetes landscape, one child and young adult at a time.

The CDiC program includes Iloilo and Davao cities together with Valenzuela City throughout the five-year plan. By partnering with different LGUs across the country, the goal is to help local communities adapt their own programs to identify and meet the needs of people with Type 1 Diabetes and other serious chronic conditions in the future.

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