Stigma can result when you take an “invisible” condition like diabetes out into the open. I try to tackle this and improve awareness and understanding by being as open about my diabetes as possible. I also advocate loudly for people who are newly diagnosed or severely impacted by the condition. In my country, many people living with diabetes have issues accessing diabetes medicines and care. I focus my time on developing programmes and encouraging action to tackle the many local and national policies that do not benefit the diabetes and wider NCD community.

In diabetes advocacy, people living with type 1 diabetes are 90% of the voice, while people with type 2 diabetes, who account for 90% of all diabetes, are no more than 10% of the voice. It is therefore important to reach out to and engage this population to ensure a united community to improve the lives of everyone affected by diabetes.

“I try to tackle stigma and improve awareness and understanding by being as open about my diabetes as possible.”