Stories

Confronting the Insulin Crisis in Ed Daein

When a critical insulin shortage struck Ed Daein, Alight’s health team mobilized quickly, ensuring vital care reached those who most needed it.

In Ed Daein City, a severe insulin shortage sent waves of panic through the community. As pharmacies ran dry and the local health system struggled to meet the growing demand, people living with diabetes were left in a dangerous limbo—fearful of what might happen without access to their life-sustaining medication. Amid this crisis, through the support of the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, Alight’s health team stepped up, determined to ensure that no one would be left without care.

From the very start, the team understood the urgency. They moved quickly, putting in place a coordinated response to track insulin supplies in real time, identify patients with the most critical needs, and streamline delivery routes across the region. Through strengthened partnerships with local pharmaceutical suppliers, they made sure insulin could reach even the most remote neighborhoods. At each Alight health center, dedicated care spaces were set up for diabetes patients—offering not just medication, but lab services, check-ups, and personalized guidance.

Behind the scenes, the pressure was intense. Sister Rashida, nurse-in-charge at El Guba PHCC, remembers it clearly. “We faced unprecedented demands from patients relying on insulin,” she says. With limited stock, every dose became a critical decision. But the newly implemented supply management system offered a lifeline, allowing staff to track inventory closely and prioritize those in the greatest need. “It was a true team effort,” she adds, grateful for the tireless work of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, community health workers—and the support of the community itself.

“Insulin is as essential to me as water. Thank you, Alight, for saving my life.”

Faisal Mohamed, Alight

Among the many who felt the weight of the shortage was Gisma, a 40-year-old woman from the Al-Muhajir neighborhood. As insulin disappeared from local pharmacies, fear crept in. She worried not just for her health, but for her future. Then a neighbor told her about the availability of insulin at ALIGHT’s El Guba clinic. She made her way there and received her first dose during that same visit. “Insulin availability remains a crucial concern, as its absence can pose significant health challenges for diabetes patients,” she shared. Today, Gisma remains grateful for the care and dignity she’s received—and hopeful that the support she found will continue for others like her.

Faisal’s story echoes that same struggle. A father of nine who fled from Nyala to Ed Daein during the conflict, he now lives in the Al Safa area with his large family. For him, the war has meant more than displacement - it’s meant hardship layered upon hardship. Without electricity since the fighting began, he has no way to safely store his insulin. Buying it from pharmacies, even when it’s available, is simply not financially possible. But at Alights Al Safa health center, Faisal receives his life-sustaining dose free of charge.

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Through it all, it was the team’s determination and the community’s trust that turned the tide. The insulin shortage was met head-on. Systems improved. Lives were protected. And in the face of crisis, a renewed sense of strength and solidarity emerged.

This response stands as a powerful reminder that in times of crisis, compassion, coordination, and human-centered care can make all the difference. When people come together with courage, clarity, and commitment, hope finds a way.

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