Reaching the Unreached: Diabetes Care in Underserved Communities

Diabetes poses a growing and unequal burden in South Africa, with underserved rural and peri-urban communities facing persistent barriers to prevention, diagnosis, and long-term care. This report documents the proceedings of the session Reaching the Unreached: Diabetes Care in Underserved Communities held at the 2025 Diabetes Summit. The session brought together people living with diabetes, frontline health workers, policymakers, researchers, and civil society to share lived experiences, community-based innovations, and health system perspectives. Key themes included decentralised and task-shared models of care, patient-centred and community-led approaches, integration of psychosocial support, and the role of partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector. The discussions highlight both the resilience and innovation present in resource-constrained settings and the urgent need for reliable access to essential medicines, diagnostics, and supportive health systems. The report concludes with actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening equitable, sustainable, and inclusive diabetes care for populations that are often left behind.