HIBAPRESS – Casablanca
Many families in Casablanca, especially in the districts of Sidi Othman, Hay Mohammadi, and Hay Moulay Rachid, are suffering from a severe shortage of insulin, a vital medication for children with type 1 diabetes, which threatens their daily lives and increases the suffering of the families.
Several mothers explained in their statements that the shortage of insulin has been ongoing for about a year, forcing some to buy the medicine from pharmacies at very high prices, which constitutes a large financial burden, especially for families with more than one sick child. One of them pointed out that the price of one insulin pen reaches 150 dirhams or more, while one child needs several pens per month, in addition to the necessary supplies such as needles and solutions, to accurately control blood sugar levels. The mothers confirmed that the lack of insulin leads to major health risks for children, including a sharp rise or fall in sugar levels, which may cause coma or death, considering that children's lives depend entirely on this medicine. They explained that attempts to obtain insulin through hospitals or local communities have not yielded results, as families have been notified of expected deals or availability of the drug, but it has not yet arrived, which increases the feeling of anxiety and fear for the lives of their children. One of the mothers said: "The youngest child, eight months old, needs four doses a day, and if he does not get insulin on time, it can take his life… We are afraid for our children every minute." Another added: "I bought it from the pharmacy despite its high price, but this solution is not enough… We want to provide it free of charge for children with diabetes." The speakers agreed that this crisis is not limited to one district, but includes various areas of Casablanca, demanding the Ministry of Health to urgently intervene to provide insulin for children without delay, and to overcome the bureaucracy that has prevented the delivery of the drug to families for more than a year. The families indicate that type 1 diabetes is different from type 2, as children with it depend entirely on insulin, because their immune system attacks the cells that produce it in the pancreas, making the drug a vital necessity. In conclusion, the mothers appealed to the state and the Ministry of Health to ensure the provision of insulin for children with diabetes, considering that "children's right to life cannot be compromised, and the medicine must be available permanently."
