Hanne Daguman, a 32-year-old woman from the Philippines, recently shared her harrowing experience of being denied insulin, which led to her losing her vision and collapsing. In an interview with a local news outlet, Daguman expressed her fear and frustration over the incident, stating that she “genuinely feared for [her] health” and hopes that her story will raise awareness about the importance of access to medication for people with chronic illnesses.
Daguman, who has been living with type 1 diabetes for over a decade, was on her way to work when she suddenly felt dizzy and her vision started to blur. She immediately knew that her blood sugar levels were dangerously low and needed to take her insulin injection. However, when she reached for her insulin pen, she realized that she had run out of it. Panicked and desperate, she rushed to the nearest pharmacy to buy a new pen.
To her shock and dismay, the pharmacist refused to sell her the insulin without a prescription from a doctor. Despite Daguman’s pleas and explanation of her urgent need for the medication, the pharmacist stood firm on their policy of not selling prescription medication without a doctor’s note. With no other options, Daguman left the pharmacy and tried to make her way to the nearest hospital, but her vision continued to deteriorate, and she eventually collapsed on the street.
Fortunately, a passerby noticed her and called for an ambulance. Daguman was rushed to the hospital, where she was immediately given the insulin she desperately needed. However, the delay in receiving the medication had already caused her to lose her vision temporarily. It took several days for her vision to fully return, and she was left traumatized by the incident.
Daguman’s story is not an isolated case. Many people with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, rely on daily medication to manage their condition and lead a normal life. However, the high cost of medication and strict policies of pharmacies often make it challenging for them to access the medication they need. This can have severe consequences, as seen in Daguman’s case, where the delay in receiving insulin almost cost her, her vision and possibly her life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 422 million people worldwide are living with diabetes, and this number is expected to rise to 552 million by 2030. This chronic illness requires lifelong management, and access to medication is crucial for people living with it. However, the reality is that many people, especially in developing countries, struggle to afford the high cost of medication and face barriers in accessing it.
Daguman’s story highlights the urgent need for governments and healthcare systems to address these issues and ensure that people with chronic illnesses have access to affordable and essential medication. It also calls for a change in the policies of pharmacies to make it easier for people to access prescription medication in urgent situations.
In response to Daguman’s story, the local government has promised to investigate the incident and take necessary actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Daguman hopes that her story will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize the needs of people with chronic illnesses and make necessary changes to ensure their well-being.
In the meantime, Daguman is using her experience to raise awareness about the importance of access to medication for people with chronic illnesses. She urges people to be more understanding and compassionate towards those living with chronic illnesses and to support initiatives that aim to make medication more affordable and accessible.
Daguman’s story is a reminder that access to medication is not a privilege but a basic human right. No one should have to fear for their health or suffer the consequences of being denied essential medication. It is time for governments and healthcare systems to take action and ensure that people with chronic illnesses have access to the medication they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Let us all join hands and work towards a world where no one has to go through what Hanne Daguman experienced.
