Mbabane- Nearly a year after a promised insulin donation for children living with Type 1 diabetes, uncertainty and frustration continue to grow among beneficiaries, as no clear timeline has been provided for when the life-saving medication will be delivered.
Information gathered by this publication indicates that while glucose test strips and glucometers were distributed around March last year, insulin, the core component of the support has not yet been made available to those in need. As supplies of test strips begin to run low, some families have reportedly resorted to purchasing them independently to maintain regular blood sugar monitoring.
A reliable source said the situation is becoming increasingly difficult. “There is concern because insulin is something that must be taken consistently. The longer the wait, the more pressure it puts on families,” the source said.
The donation was received by the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) unit under the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for overseeing distribution through public health facilities.
Responding to a qiestionaire Vusi Shabanga from NCD refuted claims that it’ been a year since the unit received the donation. Shabangu clarified that medication is not distributed through support groups such as Diabetes Eswatini, but rather through a centralised system where health facilities place orders based on individual patient needs.
“Actually, there is no delivery that is done to Diabetes Eswatini, but rather a central point where facilities are ordering per client,” Shabangu said.
The Ministry of Health, through the NCD programme, also addressed concerns about the reported duration of the delay, stating that the situation should not be interpreted as a year-long lapse.
“Firstly, issues of delays where it’s said to be a year are not true. It is just that certain processes and logistics have to be in place for every supply, even for something as basic as bread,” he said.
A caregiver who spoke with this publication, described the situation as difficult and uncertain. She said she visited Diabetes Eswatini in February seeking assistance, only to find that insulin and syringes were not available.
“The nurses assured us we will have the medication, but we have not heard any progress on the matter,” the caregiver said. “It is very hard because we are living in uncertainty. The support group had previously helped us with medication, but it has run out.”
She added that the cost of managing the condition is becoming unbearable for many families. “A bottle of insulin can cost up to E450, and 25 test strips cost about E125. Whether you have money or not, you are forced to find a way to buy because it is a matter of life and death.”
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