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Kozhikode: Even as hundreds of children with Type-1 diabetes are waiting for better treatment after registering under the ‘Mittayi’ project of the government, only Rs 3.8 crore has been earmarked for this in the budget.
Parents of the children have opined that the amount allocated in the budget will not be enough to provide any services other than the ones that are being provided currently.
Nearly 2,000 children have registered under the project by the Social Security Mission. Of these, 1,250 children are receiving treatment. Insulin pumps were given to five children under the ‘Mittayi’ scheme and four others got them under different projects.
Type-1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Parents are demanding equipment like insulin pumps, through which insulin can reach the body of the child without using a needle, and a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device, to know their sugar levels.
Currently, to know the sugar level and to administer insulin, children have to be pricked at least 10-15 times a day.
A good insulin pump costs around Rs 6-10 lakhs. The sensor costs around Rs 10,000 a month.
“Rs 1.2 lakh is spent a year on sensors alone for a child. Insulin, strips, glucometre and needle are being given to those children who have registered and have received approval. The amount allotted in the budget will be enough only for this,” said TR Vijesh, president of the Type-1 Diabetic Welfare Society.
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