MP Waje to govt: Free treatment for children with Type 1 diabetes

Nashik: Speaking in parliament on the alarming rate of children being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, minister Rajabhau Waje has demanded urgent steps by govt as the children with the disease across the country suffer from it lifelong.
"Even as 11.4% of the country's population is affected by diabetes, another serious problem is emerging rapidly. Children or newborns are being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in large numbers. According to doctors' associations across the country, at least 2.5 to 3 lakh children are estimated to have been affected by Type 1 diabetes in the country," said Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje while speaking in parliament over the issue.
"The children suffering from the disease have to take an average of 4 to 5 insulin injections a day and the treatment is a huge financial burden on the family," said Waje, drawing the attention of govt towards the issue and demanding the setting up of centres to treat the disease. The situation is even worse for children coming from poor families who are unable to afford medical assistance.
"I, therefore, demand that these children be provided with free treatment, low-cost insulin and facilities like needles or sugar test strips at govt hospitals," said Waje.
The MP has also asked central govt to appoint paediatric diabetes specialists and child counsellors in districts, sub-districts, and rural hospitals to ensure children understand and face the disease confidently. Waje also demanded the immediate abolishing of GST on insulin, test strips, needles and related materials.
Children with Type 1 diabetes should be given disability certificates so that they benefit from educational, financial, and social benefits, said Waje.