In a significant move to enhance care for individuals with type 1 diabetes, the Tamil Nadu government has established a dedicated registry for the disease. Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced that patients registered will receive free treatment, including insulin therapy, as part of this initiative.

The state has partnered with the Type 1 Diabetes Foundation, an NGO, through a memorandum of understanding to organize awareness campaigns, educational programs, and peer support initiatives. This collaboration aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by the autoimmune condition, which causes the immune system to destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

India is home to an estimated 8.6 lakh individuals living with type 1 diabetes, one of the highest numbers globally. The disease significantly impacts life expectancy; while patients in developed countries can expect to live beyond 70 years, in India, the life expectancy for someone diagnosed at the age of 10 is just 32 years.

National Health Mission Tamil Nadu director, Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, highlighted the registry’s importance, stating, “We aim to understand the prevalence, provide support and care, and assess patient needs to formulate better health policies.”

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The registry will compile data from multiple sources, including research cohorts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), hospital records across the state, and the existing Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam registry. A separate category will be created within the registry specifically for patients with type 1 diabetes.

This initiative represents a critical step in addressing the challenges faced by type 1 diabetes patients in Tamil Nadu, providing them with necessary medical support and paving the way for more informed healthcare strategies in the future.

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