Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, diabetes was a fatal condition. The calorie-restricted and fasting diets (often called a “starving diet”) were the only treatments available. Nothing was really effective to maintain adequately the blood glucose levels and keep people with a severe form of diabetes (today known as type 1 diabetes) alive for more than a few months.
The discovery of insulin: A life-saving discovery turns 100 years
The life-saving discovery turns 100 years. In January 1921, at the University of Toronto by Sir Frederick G. Banting, Charles Best, and John Macleod. Leonard Thompson was a 14-year-old boy who was living with diabetes. On January 11th, he became the first person to receive an injection of insulin. but unfortunately, he developed an acute allergic reaction.
Over the next 12 days, James Bertram Collip worked hard to purify insulin, and on the 23rd of January, Thompson received a second dose. After the second injection, his blood and urinary sugars dropped and went to normal. He lived for another 13 years. But, there were no doubts, that the insulin had saved his life.
But since then, insulin has saved millions of lives. As a result, it is considered to be one of the greatest medical achievements of all time.
What’s next?
The world is moving forward with innovation
One hundred years after its discovery, the world is moving forward with innovation. However, access to insulin and associated supplies and technologies still remain inaccessible to some countries. Many countries like Macedonia, still do not reimburse all forms of insulin and/or required glucose monitoring tools (e.g. test strips, blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitoring, etc.).
Nothing is more important than our health, and life. And our wish and message are clear, people with diabetes in Macedonia deserve to be provided with innovative therapy and medical suppliers with proven quality, that will help have excellent control of our diabetes. If we have all of this, we will have a normal and happy life.
