Advancing Universal Health Coverage for Children Living with Type 1 Diabetes

At thirteen years old, Brielle Paulino has learned to check his blood sugar several times a day and administer his own insulin injections. His mother watches closely, ensuring he follows his doctor’s advice. The process takes only a few minutes—but it must happen every single day. 

Brielle lives with Type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition that develops when the body’s immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.  Without insulin, glucose from food cannot enter the body’s cells to provide energy and instead builds up in the bloodstream, which can lead to serious complications if not managed properly. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which typically develops later in life and can often be managed with lifestyle changes and oral medicines, Type 1 diabetes requires uninterrupted insulin treatment and regular monitoring. 

In their home, the Paulino family has made diabetes care part of their daily routine. Brielle’s mother plans ahead for check-ups, ensures he never misses a dose, and connects with other parents for advice and support. “What helps is knowing we are not alone and that there are other parents who understand what we go through. Online support groups became my source of information and strength when Brielle experienced his first episode of low blood sugar.” 

Across the Philippines, an estimated thirty thousand Filipinos live with Type 1 diabetes. Families like Brielle’s show that with the right information, reliable access to essential medicines, and strong health system support, children and adults with Type 1 diabetes can thrive. Continuous access to insulin, counselling, and follow-up care is vital—and communities, health workers, and families all play a part in making it possible. 

To strengthen this continuum of care, the Department of Health (DOH) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and in collaboration with diabetes stakeholders—including medical societies, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and patient groups—is working to make treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes more accessible through primary health care.  

The Healthy Hearts Programme, which initially focused on managing high blood pressure, is being expanded to include diabetes care in pilot provinces such as Iloilo and Guimaras. The initiative aims to strengthen services by enhancing the capacity of primary health care teams through training and mentoring, developing standardized job aids and clinical decision support tools, and ensuring the availability of essential commodities such as insulin, glucose test strips, and blood pressure monitors. The programme also promotes team-based care, health education, and community engagement, empowering people living with chronic conditions and their families to actively participate in managing their health and preventing complications. 

At the national level, WHO is exploring opportunities with PhilHealth to strengthen outpatient benefits for people living with diabetes. This includes the potential development of a package that could help make essential services—such as insulin and test strips—more accessible and affordable for families. These efforts form part of WHO’s continued collaboration with DOH to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure that care for chronic conditions is sustainable and within reach of all Filipinos. 

Brielle continues to dream big. He hopes to become a chef one day, confident that his condition will not stop him from pursuing what he loves. His story reflects a growing movement in the Philippines—where families, health workers, and communities are coming together to make lifelong care for diabetes a reality. 

Across the Philippines, families, health workers, and policymakers are working together to ensure that children living with Type 1 diabetes receive the care they need—when and where they need it. From primary care provided by local health care workers to more specialized services, these efforts contribute to advancing UHC and improving health outcomes for all. 

This World Diabetes Day, WHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Department of Health and partners in building stronger, more resilient primary health care systems—so that every child, regardless of their condition or circumstances, can live a healthy and fulfilling life.