Tamil Nadu to set up Type 1 Diabetes Care Centre in 6 Districts
Tamil Nadu Scales Up Type 1 Diabetes Treatment Facilities
Coimbatore: Following the inauguration of a dedicated diabetes centre in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu unit of the National Health Mission (NHM) is set to open specialized care centres for children with Type 1 diabetes in six more districts over the next two months.
Dr. A. Arun Thamburaj, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Tamil Nadu, announced that the first phase of the initiative will see the launch of centres at several government medical college hospitals.
According to the news reports, these include the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem, the Government Raja Mirasudar Hospital in Thanjavur, K.A.P. Viswanathan Government Medical College in Tiruchy, the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, and the government medical college hospitals in Tiruvarur and Dharmapuri.
The state health department reports that over 2,600 children are currently registered for Type 1 diabetes treatment in government hospitals across Tamil Nadu. The upcoming centres will significantly enhance their quality of care. These centres will be expanded to all districts in a phased manner, ensuring statewide access to focused pediatric diabetes care.
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In addition to setting up the centres, NHM Tamil Nadu is also preparing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to standardize and streamline treatment protocols for children with Type 1 diabetes across all government hospitals.
According to TNIE, “This centre provides end-to-end care to children suffering from Type 1 diabetes. It offers treatment, medical support, education, and counselling on par with global standards at no cost. We have also roped in Coimbatore-based Idhayangal Trust, which has experience handling Type 1 diabetes patients,” Thamburaj added.
Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan of Idhayangal Trust hailed the initiative, calling it a vital step to ensure that no child from an underprivileged background is deprived of essential diabetes care.
Also Read: Diabetologists urge free devices for children with Type 1 diabetes
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a resounding call for equitable healthcare access, diabetologists from India and international faculty members representing eight countries have demanded policy initiatives that would make life-saving medical devices, such as insulin pumps and glucose monitoring sensors, free for children in India diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
