Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong, autoimmune condition that results in impaired insulin production. If left untreated, glucose remains in the bloodstream and causes damage to organs. It is estimated that more than 1.2 million young people under the age of 20 have type 1 diabetes and that approximately 184,100 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Although type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic childhood illnesses, it is often misdiagnosed in low-resource settings. Healthcare professionals who are unfamiliar with type 1 diabetes may mistake its symptoms for malaria or another disease that presents in a similar manner.
Insulin, administered by multiple, daily injections, is the only effective long-term treatment for type 1 diabetes. People living in low-resource settings are less likely to have adequate access to healthcare services, including diagnosis, comprehensive care and life-saving insulin.
Population Services International (PSI Cambodia) is implementing Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC), an initiative funded by Novo Nordisk, by working closely with the Preventive Medicine Department (PMD) of the Ministry of Health and 14 hospitals in Cambodia.
The overall goal of the project is to help provide diabetes care to children and youth with type 1 diabetes in Cambodia. This includes free life-saving medicine and supplies for persons up to 25 years of age.
LOCATIONS
All activities take place within established national frameworks and in accordance with priorities laid out by the Ministry of Health in the following city/provinces: 1) Phnom Penh, 2) Kampot, 3) Siem Reap, 4) Prey Veng, 5) Kampong Cham, 6) Battambang, 7) Oddor Meanchey, 8) Pursat, 9) Takeo, 10) Banteay Meanchey, 11) Tbong Khmum.
WHAT WE DO
Ensuring comprehensive patient education
We support patient education activities at partner hospitals and communities, and ensures that they are equipped with suitable materials and resources to conduct patient education.
Bringing care closer to the people who need it
We support the refurbishment of diabetes clinics.
Strengthening healthcare professional capacity
The project collaborates with PMD to deliver trainings on the management of pediatric diabetes to healthcare professionals.
Ensuring access to insulin and supplies
The project donates insulin and supplies for all the children enrolled at 14 hospitals.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
Patient Education Handbook
Nurse Guide
Flipchart: Dialogue posters for healthcare providers
Video series: Diabetes Besties
Poster: Insulin
Poster: Where to inject insulin
Poster: Symptoms
Poster: Food pyramid
Flyer: Blood glucose monitoring
Flyer: Sick day
Flyer: Insulin treatment
Flyer: Screening and hypoglycemia
Training manual
Pocket book: Type 1 diabetes management
LATEST STORIES
PROGRESS
(As of September 2026):
Number of hospitals partnered with CDiC in 11 provinces
Number of healthcare providers and school staff trained
Number of education sessions for patients and their caregivers
Number of people reached through awareness activities
Number of insulin (boxes of penfills and vials) provided to the hospitals
OUR PARTNERS
