Training the Trainers: Local Experts Taking the Lead in T1D Care

When it comes to managing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), access to insulin and blood glucose monitoring is critical — but these alone are not enough. At the heart of sustainable T1D care is something less visible but equally powerful: trained, confident healthcare professionals (HCPs) who can diagnose, treat, and support young people living with this lifelong condition.

This is where Sanofi’s Global Health Units contribution through the T1DThrive collaboration with Action4Diabetes (A4D) is creating lasting impact — by strengthening local health systems through the training and upskilling of healthcare professionals in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. In Cambodia, trainings held in Phnom Penh and more recently in Siem Reap brought together HCPs from across the province for interactive sessions on carbohydrate counting, insulin therapy, and T1D management — building both knowledge and confidence in delivering quality care. In Myanmar, a dedicated webinar for HCPs focused on equipping them to support children and families living with Type 1 Diabetes in the aftermath of the earthquake, addressing the emotional stress, trauma, and mental health challenges they face.

Seeing local healthcare professionals take ownership of building health capacity is both encouraging and a true milestone in the work T1DThrive is driving.

A Breakthrough in Local Training

From 31 March to 2 April 2025, A4D, long-term partner Mahosot Hospital and Swiss Laos Hospital Project co-organised the first-ever provincial-level Practical T1D Training in Xiengkhouang province, hosted at Phonsavan Hospital. Nearly 30 healthcare professionals from across the province came together for three days of intensive, hands-on learning.

The training covered:

• Insulin management, both conventional and basal-bolus

• Emergency care for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia management

• A nutrition session focused on carbohydrate counting, led by a local nutritionist

• Interactive workshops and case studies that encouraged active engagement and critical thinking

“For many of these healthcare professionals, it was their first time receiving in-depth training on Type 1 Diabetes. We’re proud to have made this possible at the local level.”

— Dr Amphayvanh Manivong, Paediatric Specialist, Mahosot Hospital

This was more than just a training for healthcare professionals, it was a milestone in health system strengthening: the first time a provincial  training for both Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes in Laos was organised without the involvement of international trainers. Facilitated entirely by Lao professionals from Mahosot Hospital, it marked a shift toward true local ownership.

This is exactly what A4D and Sanofi set out to achieve with T1DThrive: a self-sustaining model where knowledge and expertise grow from within the country, making quality care accessible even in remote provinces.

“With this training, our healthcare providers can now be better equipped to diagnose and manage Type 1 Diabetes right here in Xiengkhouang. This means families no longer have to travel hundreds of kilometres to Vientiane just to access specialised diabetes care — a significant step forward in improving health outcomes in our province.”

— Dr. Viladeth Praphasiri, Director, Phonsavan Hospital

Behind the scenes, Sanofi’s Global Health Unit has played a vital role in enabling this progress. By supporting training programs, mentorship, and in-country workshops, Sanofi is helping to build a foundation that will last long after each session ends.

While supplies are critical, it’s this investment in health capacity — in people — that will ensure children and young people living with T1D will receive the care they need for years to come.