Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. You need insulin injections or an insulin pump to manage your blood sugar levels because your body cannot produce insulin on its own. Without insulin, your body cannot use the glucose from food for energy, leading to serious complications. Checking and managing your blood sugar levels daily is crucial to reduce the risk of short-term and long-term health problems, also known as diabetes complications.

People with type 1 diabetes in Kenya need access to insulin and regular healthcare support to manage their condition effectively. This includes monitoring blood sugar levels, adjusting insulin doses, and making healthy lifestyle choices.

In Kenya, type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes, but it still affects many people, particularly children and young adults. Although it is often diagnosed in childhood, type 1 diabetes can develop at any age. Type 1 diabetes accounts for fewer than one in 10 cases of diabetes globally, and it cannot be prevented. The exact causes of type 1 diabetes are not fully understood, but genetics play a role. You are at a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes if a close family member, such as your mother, father, brother, or sister, has it.