Diabetes, and the need for insulin

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday called for lower prices and better access to insulin, warning that tens of thousands of diabetics could not get the insulin they needed.
   The World Health Organization estimates that more than 420 million people worldwide currently suffer from diabetes.  That number has almost quadrupled in the last 40 years.
    "Despite the high supply, especially in low-income countries, there is a problem with access to treatment," Qiu Jiang Tai, who works on the issue at the World Health Organization, told this issue on a news conference.
   High prices have prevented many people with diabetes from accessing this valuable hormone, which allows them to control the disease.  This is especially true in low- and middle-income countries.
   Insulin discoverers Frederick Benting and John McLeod sold their discovery for C $ 1 to make it easier to access.
   "Unfortunately, this solidarity movement has become a multi-billion dollar industry that has made it difficult to access," said Tadros Adanom, secretary general of the World Health Organization.

_{Source & credit: WHO, AVC Father's heart}

^{Photo by Dennis Klicker on Unsplash}