Advancing Access, Equity, and Action in India and Around the World
(L-R) Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Officer Lynn Starr, Princess Padmaja Kumari Parmar, and Breakthrough T1D Chief Medical Officer Thomas Danne, MD, at the Udaipur Type 1 Diabetes Summit
Breakthrough T1D on August 5th, 2025
Breakthrough T1D, in partnership with Friends of Mewar and UNICEF, participated in the Udaipur Type 1 Diabetes Summit: Advancing Access, Equity, and Action, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The event gathered government leaders, health experts, community advocates, and international partners to develop a collaborative roadmap for strengthening type 1 diabetes (T1D) care across India.
Breaking down barriers and stigma
Hosted by Friends of Mewar’s Founder and Breakthrough T1D Global Ambassador Princess Padmaja Kumari Parmar, who has lived with T1D for more than 40 years, the two-day summit was a critical milestone in building partnerships that drive sustainable, system-wide improvements in T1D care and equity.
“Timely healthcare access and accurate information are vital for managing type 1 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases,” said Princess Padmaja. “Collaboration is key to breaking down barriers and stigma, and ensuring that children and youth receive the support they deserve.”
Topics discussed included integrating T1D into national health frameworks, scaling digital and rural care solutions, promoting equity and stigma reduction, and aligning regional action across Southeast Asia. The summit also featured updates on the T1D Basic Care Pilot Program, a partnership between Breakthrough T1D and the William J. Clinton Foundation, showcasing early successes in improving insulin and glucose monitoring availability in public health settings.
The Udaipur Type 1 Diabetes Summit concluded Princess Padmaja’s strong call for sustained innovation, investment, and partnership to address the urgent need for support for youth living with T1D in India and around the world.
Watch a promotional video about the summit:
Advancing cures while improving lives
The summit aligned with Breakthrough T1D’s mission of advancing cures while improving lives. Affordable insulin, access to T1D technology, early diagnosis to prevent complications at diagnosis, and psychosocial support are all critical to improved health outcomes on the path to cures.
“In India and many other countries, children and young people face significant barriers to care,” said Lynn Starr, Chief Global Advocacy Officer at Breakthrough T1D. “Our commitment is that when cures arrive, they are accessible to everyone, everywhere, regardless of geography or income.”
Driving change for the T1D community
Born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, Princess Padmaja was diagnosed with T1D at age 5. At the time of her diagnosis, tools and insulin options for managing T1D were limited—checking blood glucose levels or dosing insulin based on carbohydrate quantities wasn’t even possible.
“Witnessing the progression of T1D breakthroughs over the years has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Princess Padmaja. “When I first started insulin injections, it was a cumbersome routine, requiring multiple injections a day. Today, thanks to advancements in insulin pump technology, managing T1D has become more streamlined and efficient, improving my quality of life.”
As a Breakthrough T1D Global Ambassador, Princess Padmaja is working to combat the stigma of T1D and address the challenges surrounding the condition. She hopes to inspire changes within the government’s policies that could support people with T1D and within India’s healthcare system.
“As a Global Ambassador, my aspirations do extend beyond borders,” she said. “The challenges surrounding T1D are not exclusive to India; they are present globally.”
“By rallying support and implementing these measures, I can help tackle these challenges, ultimately improving the quality of life for those with T1D.”
Written by: Kara Sweet