Imagine if your life depended on daily injections, but you weren’t sure if you’d get them tomorrow. Imagine being diagnosed with a condition that demands round-the-clock management, but no proper management guide exists. Imagine being told your child has type 1 diabetes and then realizing you’re completely on your own.
This isn’t fiction. It’s a reality for an estimated 24,440 people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Pakistan. And the real question is: Why is no one talking about it when the facts tell an alarming story?
Every 1 in 2 children with type 1 diabetes loses their lives due to the lack of essential healthcare. (T1D Index- Pakistan)
Insulin isn’t free, isn’t subsidized, and isn’t always available. A vial costs anywhere from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 7,500. This, along with necessary diabetes supplies, consumes 18-20% of an average household’s income. (Business Recorder)
Hospitals don’t have diabetes specialists. In fact, according to data from Rentech Digital, as of January 23, 2025, there are 43 endocrinologists in Pakistan, with only 2 identified as pediatric endocrinologists.
Schools, workplaces, and even families often lack an understanding of T1D. Kids get expelled for injecting insulin, employees hide their condition to avoid discrimination, and relatives still say, “Just eat less sugar, you’ll be fine.”
This isn’t just a healthcare issue; it’s a systemic failure that is costing innocent lives.
The Crisis No One Sees
Pakistan’s healthcare system is primarily designed and equipped for type 2 diabetes, the kind that develops later in life and can often be managed through diet and lifestyle changes. But type 1 diabetes is different and more demanding.
It’s an autoimmune condition, meaning the body’s own immune system destroys insulin-producing cells.
There’s no cure, no prevention, and no “natural remedy” – Once you have it, you have it for life, and injecting insulin externally is the only treatment!!
So, Who’s Fixing This?
Having the government step up for the cause through years of advocacy by sister organizations, the idea is finally getting the spotlight. Pakistan’s type 1 diabetes community is stepping up. Organizations like Meethi Zindagi aren’t just handing out insulin; they’re changing the entire system from the ground up. Here’s how:
✓ Guaranteeing Insulin Access. Through programs like “Promise of Insulin,” life-saving medication reaches 114+ cities and towns across the country. During crises like the 2022 floods, emergency teams even used boats to deliver insulin to cut-off areas.
✓ Educating Families & Doctors. The “SETUP” program offers structured, science-backed education on type 1 diabetes, ensuring parents, teachers, and even healthcare professionals actually understand the condition. (MZ.SETUP). Adding on, Meethi Zindagi, DigiBete , and World Diabetes Foundation have developed Pakistan’s First Free Digital Diabetes Education Website in Urdu, TlDBits, comprising 6 modules, covering various aspects of diabetes management. (www.type1diabetespk.org)
✓ Bringing People Together. From peer support groups to in-person meetups, type 1 warriors are finding community instead of isolation. Initiatives like “D-Treats” and “Meethi Chah” provide a safe space to talk about struggles, share tips, and just feel understood.
✓ Advocating for Change. From policy-level lobbying to nationwide awareness campaigns, efforts are being made to push for government intervention, public education, and better healthcare infrastructure. The advocacy efforts have seen international platforms voicing concerns of the type 1 community fostering inclusion.
What story do the numbers tell?
This movement is no longer just words; it’s action with measurable results:
1,000+ children receiving consistent insulin support
114+ cities & towns covered
100+ doctors trained to better handle T1D cases
200+ awareness sessions across schools, hospitals, and workplaces
10,000+ volunteer hours dedicated to the cause
300+ peer support events connecting people with T1D
So, What’s Next?
The fight for proper diabetes care in Pakistan is far from over. But here’s the thing, change isn’t going to happen overnight. The public, healthcare sector, authorities, in fact everyone must come forth on a personal scale to make it happen.
✓ Insulin access needs to become a national priority.
✓Awareness needs to go beyond November 14th (World Diabetes Day).
✓ Legislation needs to protect and support people with type 1 diabetes.
And most importantly, we need people to care.
If you’ve read this far, you already do. Now, what will you do about it?
Join our cause!
