Diabetes ranks among the top 10 causes of death globally and affects over half a billion people worldwide. Over 80% of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries.
Insulin pens and newer diabetes medicines can simplify treatment and reduce complications for people with diabetes.
While these tools are widely available in high-income countries, access in low—and middle-income countries and humanitarian settings is extremely limited, primarily due to their higher prices.
In a series of three stories, we hear from people living with diabetes who have made difficult journeys while trying to manage their treatment. All three people speak about how insulin in pens is easier to transport and administer, especially in challenging and humanitarian situations, than insulin in vials and injected with syringes.
Doctors Without Borders MSF has significantly increased the number of diabetes consultations in its medical programmes: in 2022, MSF performed 205,122 diabetes-related consultations globally. All three people were receiving treatment from MSF in Athens, Greece.
My journey to Europe with diabetes:
Anis Al-Bahash' Story
msf.org.zaAnis Al-Bahash had to embark on a journey to reach Greece from war-torn Syria. However, Anis faced an additional challenge, he was diagnosed with diabetes during his journey and needed to adhere to a strict regimen of medications, including daily insulin injections, to maintain his health. Managing diabetes can be complicated, and throughout his travels to Greece, Anis encountered various difficulties in keeping up with his medical routine.
Amina's Story
msf.org.zaSitting in her sunlit, mint-green kitchen in Athens, Amina* shares the difficulties she faced in managing her son’s type I diabetes on her own in Iraq and having access to diabetes treatment, despite what she knew would be an extremely challenging migration journey from Iraq to Greece with three young children in tow, she fled her abusive husband. My son, was seven years old when I noticed his changes. He started wetting the bed, which he had never done before, and his appetite increased.
Ghassan Fakhri Jabar
msf.org.zaGhassan risks falling very ill, or worse. In a journey of over eight months from Gaza, through Turkey, to the Greek island of Samos, and finally to Athens, Ghassan has been through some desperate and challenging moments on account of his medical needs as a person living with diabetes. We asked him to share his story.
