HAVING lived with diabetes for 12 years, I can safely say that it has shaped not only my personal journey, but also my aspirations as a doctor. Diagnosed at a young age, I experienced the daily struggles of managing diabetes with limited resources in a country where insulin access is not guaranteed to everyone.
Today, as a junior doctor at the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, my story has come full circle; from being a patient to becoming a doctor. During my clinical rotations in hospital wards, I came across countless patients facing life-threatening complications due to unaffordable insulin. People with dia-betes presented with diabetic ketoa-cidosis, amputations and organ damage.
These are all preventable outcomes with consistent access to insulin. Witnessing this suffering reinforced what I had long felt; insulin is not a luxury, but a life sustaining medication that every patient with diabetes deserves to have access to.
My experiences led me to join a global non-profit organisation working to promote universal access to insulin. Through my involvement, I have connected with other advocates worldwide, learning that this struggle is not limited to Pakistan; it is a global crisis.
After 103 years on the market, insulin remains out of reach of many due to sky-rocketing prices and inadequate healthcare systems. This injustice drives me to speak out. Every person with diabetes should have the right to access the medication they need to survive regardless of their financial background. As I continue my journey in medicine, I am committed to advocating for equitable healthcare policies and supporting initiatives.
No one should have to choose between lifesaving medication and their basic needs. This growing global crisis shows that pharmaceutical companies need to urgently prioritise patients over profits.
Dr Yahya Ur Rehman
Jamshoro
Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2025
