KOCHI: ‘Mitayi’, an initiative by the Health Department and Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM) aimed at providing better care for children suffering from juvenile diabetes(Type 1 diabetes, was announced by Health Minister K K Shylaja here on Thursday.
It envisages an annual aid of `1lakh each to children in the 5-15 age group suffering from Type I diabetes.
“Children suffering from this condition are not able to enjoy their childhood as sugar is a strict no-no for them. They cannot enjoy candies or sweetmeats. The project has been christened ‘ mitayi’ (candy) hoping to help such children to enjoy their childhood,” the minister told reporters.
“Under this project, children suffering from Type 1 diabetes will be provided glucometer and insulin pump as part of the free diabetic treatment. The government assistance is extended to children below 18 years, who are residents of the state and whose annual family income is below `2 lakh,” she said.
In the first phase, treatment will be made available for the 150 children registered in Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Medical Colleges. Type I diabetes is mainly found among children in the 5-15 age group.