In a significant appeal to strengthen healthcare for children and adolescents, Dr. Smita Joshi, a member of the Technical Expert Group under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the establishment of dedicated Type-1 diabetes clinics in all district hospitals across India. This initiative aims to provide specialized treatment, early diagnosis, and increased awareness of Type-1 diabetes, which is a growing concern among children and adolescents.

Dr. Joshi commended Gujarat and Rajasthan for taking the lead in setting up Type-1 diabetes clinics alongside Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics in district hospitals. These states have also allocated special financial provisions in their budgets to support this initiative. She emphasized that expanding this model to other states would ensure comprehensive care and improved quality of life for countless children battling the disease.

India Faces the Highest Burden of Type-1 Diabetes in Children

In her letter, Dr. Joshi highlighted that India has the world’s highest number of children and adolescents suffering from Type-1 diabetes, surpassing even the United States. Despite the alarming prevalence, she pointed out that no national health program currently includes early detection and management of the disease for children under 18. Existing programs like the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) focus only on individuals above 30 years of age, leaving young patients without dedicated support.

Challenges in Treatment and Accessibility

Type-1 diabetes requires lifelong dependence on insulin injections, with most patients needing 3 to 4 injections daily. However, in India, affording insulin and related medical supplies remains a challenge, particularly for underprivileged families. Dr. Joshi noted that unlike the United States, India lacks advanced insulin delivery technologies, making treatment not only costly but also painful for children. The lack of awareness, financial burden, and inadequate treatment access often result in serious complications and even untimely deaths among affected children.

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Nationwide Awareness and Advocacy Efforts

As the head of the Type-1 Diabetes Awareness and Advocacy Team in India, established by the Dr. Vasudev J. Rawal Charitable Trust, Mehsana, Gujarat, Dr. Joshi and her team have been actively campaigning to bring attention to this pressing issue. Along with fellow experts Dr. Shukla ben Rawal, Dr. Raja Joshi, and Dr. Man Pancholi, she has traveled over 7,000 km across India and internationally, engaging with policymakers, healthcare professionals, social organizations, and industry leaders to push for greater focus on Type-1 diabetes management.

Dr. Joshi’s appeal to the Prime Minister underscores the critical need for dedicated Type-1 diabetes clinics across India. She stressed that ensuring free or affordable access to insulin, integrating Type-1 diabetes care into national health programs, and promoting early detection initiatives could transform the lives of thousands of children battling this lifelong condition.

With Gujarat and Rajasthan setting an example, she hopes that other states will follow suit in prioritizing the health and well-being of children with Type-1 diabetes, ensuring that they receive timely and specialized care, ultimately leading to a healthier future for India’s youth.

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