Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires long-term and consistent management. For people with diabetes, especially those who depend on insulin, continuity of therapy is a crucial factor in preventing serious complications to life-threatening conditions.
In normal situations, diabetes treatment alone requires high discipline, especially when natural disasters occur that can disrupt access to health services and the availability of essential drugs.
As a form of concern for the continuation of diabetes patient therapy in disaster-affected areas, Novo Nordisk Indonesia supports the recovery of post-disaster health services on the island of Sumatra through a donation program of 13,700 insulin pens.
This program is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI), Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC), and the Indonesian Diabetes Association (PERSADIA), with the aim of ensuring that diabetes patients continue to receive insulin therapy on an ongoing basis.
The flood and landslide disasters that hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have had a significant impact on people and infrastructure.
Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) notes that until the end of November to December 2025, the disaster caused 1,090 fatalities, 186 people were reported missing, and more than 7,000 people were injured. In addition, there was damage to 147,236 houses and 219 health facilities in various regions of Sumatra.
The damage to health facilities and the disruption of the distribution of medical logistics after the disaster pose a major challenge for people with chronic diseases, including diabetes.
Limited access to medicines and health services has the potential to disrupt the continuity of insulin therapy. This condition is very critical for type 1 diabetes patients, especially children and adolescents who are completely dependent on insulin to survive.
Cessation of insulin therapy, even if only temporary, can be fatal and increase the risk of severe complications during recovery.
Director of Pharmacy Management and Services of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Dra. Agusdini Banun Saptaningsih, Apt., MARS, conveyed that natural disasters have a major impact on the continuity of treatment for patients with chronic diseases.
"In emergency conditions, the availability of essential drugs such as insulin is a need that cannot be delayed. We appreciate the support of Novo Nordisk and all partners who collaborate to ensure that diabetic patients continue to have access to insulin therapy. This support is an important part of the post-disaster health response and efforts to prevent complications due to interruption of treatment," he said.
Novo Nordisk Indonesia General Manager, Sreerekha Sreenivasan, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting diabetes patients in the midst of an emergency situation.
"We understand that natural disasters can exacerbate the challenges of treating chronic diseases such as diabetes. Through close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders, we hope that this insulin donation can help maintain the sustainability of the affected patient's therapy. This initiative is part of Novo Nordisk's long-term commitment to strengthening the national health system, especially in the treatment of diabetes and obesity," he explained.
The distribution of donated insulin is carried out gradually through a national distribution mechanism coordinated by the Ministry of Health. Insulin is delivered by Novo Nordisk's official distributor to national pharmaceutical facilities or centers, then distributed to hospitals and health service facilities in affected areas according to the Ministry of Health's instructions.
Overall, this program is aimed at reaching approximately 500 diabetes patients, both type 1 and type 2, in a number of regencies and cities in three provinces on the island of Sumatra.
From the perspective of managing diabetes in children, Project Lead Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC), Prof. Dr. Aman Bhakti Pulungan, Sp.A(K), FAAP, FRCPI (Hon.), emphasized that insulin is a vital need for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
"The interruption of insulin access, even for a short time, can endanger their lives. In disaster-affected areas, there are more than 50 children with type 1 diabetes who face layered challenges, ranging from limited health services to uncertainty about the availability of insulin. This collaboration helps ensure that they can continue therapy safely, because no child should die from diabetes," he said.
Chairman of the Indonesian Diabetes Association (PERSADIA), Dr. dr. K. Heri Nugroho, SpPD, KEMD, FINASIM, added that diabetes patients are among the most vulnerable groups when disasters occur.
"Floods that hit a number of areas in Sumatra caused damage to health facilities, disrupted the distribution of drugs, and limited patient access to insulin. In response to this condition, PERSADIA moved quickly through coordination with Novo Nordisk, the Ministry of Health, regional health services, hospitals, health centers, and medical volunteers to ensure the distribution of insulin is targeted," he said.
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