A Q&A with Alfred Kakisingi
Read this article in French: Version française
Today, we’re highlighting the work of Alfred Kakisingi, in recognition of World Humanitarian Day. Here he shares how his organization — l’Association des Diabétiques du Congo (ADIC) — began, what daily life can look like for people with diabetes in Democratic Republic of the Congo, and how local leadership, persistence, and global solidarity are essential to delivering care where it’s needed most.
Kakisingi is the co-founder and director of ADIC, a grassroots organization based in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), that provides life-saving care and support for people living with diabetes. ADIC is a grant recipient of Panorama Global’s T1D Community Fund — whose grantees form a network of community-based organizations serving individuals and families affected by type 1 diabetes low- and middle-income countries, with seed funding from Helmsley.
What prompted you to create ADIC, and how has your vision evolved since those early days?
The idea for ADIC didn’t come all at once. It was built over time, shaped by experiences that I couldn’t forget.
In 1986, I saw a man suffer from complications related to diabetes, but no doctor knew how to help. He lost his leg, and then his life. Years later, my mother’s grandmother died from the same disease. These losses stayed with me. The turning point came in 1998, when I watched a news report on a French doctor’s wrongdoing. I remember thinking: if we can be outraged over injustices in countries like France, then why are we silent about diabetes here in DRC?
With a few friends, some living with diabetes, I began learning more about the condition and its daily challenges. I knew that we needed to create an association to prevent further suffering and loss from this treatable disease. Together, we established the ADIC on February 23, 1999, amid civil war and political instability.
In the beginning, we had nothing except our will and courage. With no fixed address or money, we met under trees or at the Goma Volcanic Observatory. At that time, we would use member donations to buy a vial of insulin from local pharmacies and invite patients to draw a small amount to treat themselves, later storing what remained underground in clay pots. We earned people’s trust simply by being there.
Our story reflects the people we serve — shaped by war, poverty, and displacement, but also by resilience. Since the beginning, our mission has been clear: to bring together people living with diabetes across DRC, empower them to manage their health, and ensure no one is left behind.
We envision ADIC growing into a regional hub for comprehensive diabetes care. We aim to expand our services to include hospitalization, diagnostics, and a fully-equipped laboratory. We also want to strengthen our outreach through public education campaigns, particularly using radio to reach remote communities. We hope to see more recognition of the critical role grassroots organizations like ours play in health systems.
l’Association des Diabétiques du Congo’s clinic in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Today, ADIC supports thousands of people across DRC. What do their daily realities look like, and how is ADIC helping address the challenges they face?
As of 2024, we support 5,789 people living with diabetes. Of these, 1,966 are adults with type 1, and 128 are young people under the age of 30. The remaining are adults living with type 2 diabetes.
For young people, daily life is particularly challenging. They face a constant, silent struggle: multiple daily insulin injections, regular blood glucose monitoring, an inconsistent and often insufficient diet, and frequent stigmatization. Many families lack financial means, which affects everything from medical access to food security.
ADIC steps in to provide critical support. We distribute insulin, glucometers, and testing supplies. We offer psychological counseling, host educational workshops, and support peer groups. We also run radio campaigns to raise awareness and provide guidance to families and schools. Our team includes trained professionals and community leaders who help youth prepare for emergencies, such as sudden displacements or natural disasters.
ADIC also trains healthcare providers, ensuring that they are equipped to manage diabetes care across the region. Our holistic approach aims not only to treat but to empower our patients to live healthier, more resilient lives.
ADIC operates under extraordinary conditions, from natural disasters to armed conflict. How does ADIC prepare for different kinds of emergencies, and what strategies help you deliver continuous care during times of crisis?
ADIC was founded during war and continues to operate in a region often affected by conflict, natural disasters, and widespread poverty. This context requires us to be proactive, adaptive, and resilient. Our approach includes detailed contingency planning, stockpiling emergency medicine, and working with local partners to ensure rapid response in times of crisis.
We have learned to decentralize care by training providers in remote areas such as Minova, Fizi, Rutshuru, Walikale, and Bunia. When patients are displaced, we rely on mobile methods, including motorcycles, to deliver insulin and supplies. We also maintain contact with patients through phone calls and messaging apps.
During the 2002 and 2021 eruptions of the Nyiragongo volcano, as well as during public health emergencies like Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox, we quickly mobilized to deliver food, medicine, hygiene kits, and ensure our patients remained connected to care. We also built a new training center with support from partners like Direct Relief and Insulin zum Leben. During border closures, we supported stranded patients from Rwanda and Mozambique, as well as UN personnel.
Continuity of care is not just about having supplies; it’s about being present, prepared, and deeply rooted in the community. This is what has allowed us to serve effectively, even in the most difficult moments
How have partnerships and external support strengthened ADIC? What policy changes would most improve life for people with type 1 diabetes in DRC?
Partnerships have been the backbone of ADIC’s growth. From our earliest days, support from organizations like FAND Italy helped shape our structure and provided critical medicines, funding, and educational materials. Since then, we have worked with generous partners including Insulin zum Leben (Germany and Austria), Direct Relief (USA), Insulin for Life (Australia and USA), Life for a Child (Australia), the Belgian Embassy, the United Nations Office for Project Services, and the T1D Community Fund with Panorama Global (USA).
These partnerships have allowed us to expand access to care, improve storage with solar refrigerators, and provide regular supply of essential supplies. They also support training for staff and youth, such as summer camps and vocational programs for adolescents living with type 1 diabetes. Even during conflict, these partnerships have remained steadfast.
We also collaborate with local and regional organizations, including the Rwandan Diabetes Association, Vaincre le Diabète in Kinshasa, and Aide Vision Goma for patient eye exams. These relationships enable us to expand our impact, strengthen health systems, and provide holistic care.
Without our partners, ADIC simply could not exist at the scale and depth we do today. We are profoundly grateful for their trust and long-term commitment to improving the lives of people living with diabetes in DRC.
Despite all the challenges, you’ve said you remain hopeful. What sustains that hope — and what future do you envision for people with diabetes in DRC?
What gives us hope is the resilience of our patients and the commitment of our team. Many of our staff have been with us since ADIC’s founding, which reflects their deep dedication. Every time we see a young person regain strength and confidence, or a family finds relief in reliable access to insulin, we are reminded why this work matters.
We envision ADIC growing into a regional hub for comprehensive diabetes care. We aim to expand our services to include hospitalization, diagnostics, and a fully-equipped laboratory. We also want to strengthen our outreach through public education campaigns, particularly using radio to reach remote communities. We hope to see more recognition of the critical role grassroots organizations like ours play in health systems.
To realize this vision, we need continued investment — in supplies, equipment, training, and advocacy. But most of all, we need people to believe that a person with diabetes in DRC deserves the same care and dignity as anyone, anywhere. That belief, shared by our partners and our community, is what drives us forward every day.
