Insulin is the internal secretion of the pancreas formed by groups of cells called the islets of Langerhans. It is the hormone needed to enable glucose to enter the cells and provide energy. Insulin is also important in keeping blood glucose levels within the acceptable limits. Find out more
Some eighty years after the discovery of insulin there are still many people in the world dying because they cannot access insulin.
One of the major breakthroughs in medical sciences of the last century was the discovery of insulin in 1921. This discovery meant that people with diabetes who were insulin-treated survived the acute effects of the disease. However, there are still many people in the world dying because of lack of access to insulin some eighty years on. There are people with diabetes all over the world who are unable to access insulin in the long or short term, depending on their circumstances.
Lack of access to insulin and diabetes supplies in the short term frequently occurs as a result of natural disasters, for example the tsunami in 2004, civil unrest, or national financial crises. Shortages of insulin and diabetes supplies are often met through international action and aid.
The major problem today lies in the widespread long-term lack of access to insulin and diabetes supplies, which poses a serious threat to the lives of people with diabetes in developing countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa where there are reports of premature deaths. For proper delivery of diabetes care, insulin, insulin syringes and needles, and other monitoring supplies should be available, accessible and affordable to all those who require them.