Representation Image I Photo: Gagan NAYAR | AFP
Thiruvananthapuram: About 3500 children suffering from type-one diabetes are in distress due to inadequate treatment facilities. Type 1 diabetes, which requires lifelong treatment and affects almost every organ in the body, can be life-threatening if not treated properly.
Although the Social Security Mission has announced a scheme called 'Mittayi' (candy) for the treatment of children under the age of 18 years, only five government medical colleges have treatment facilities.
The children who do not have a medical college in their district have to travel hundreds of kilometers to get treatment. As many as 1,500 children are enrolled in the scheme as the annual income of the beneficiaries should be less than Rs 2 lakh.
If the person has type 1 diabetes, then they need to inject insulin for the rest of their life. Medicine and medical equipment including insulin will be provided through the 'Mittayi' clinic.
Type-One Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin-dependent diabetes)
This is a condition in which the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the insulin-producing pancreas are destroyed, stopping insulin production and causing the blood sugar level to rise steadily. Affected patients should be given an insulin injection or a drip (IV) with the help of an insulin pump.
Shihabuddin, Secretary of Type One Diabetes Foundation said that they have filed a petition to the chief minister and the health minister seeking the need for setting up facilities for dieticians, counseling facilities for the children and parents in all districts. He also asked for setting up Mittayi clinics in all districts.
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