Without insurance, diabetic children have a tough time

Bengaluru: Nitya was all of seven when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Two years down, she's well aware of her condition and makes no demand for chocolates. But the family has to cough up Rs 20,000 every month towards her diabetes management that includes using an insulin pump. In the absence of an insurance cover, the family has had to make several sacrifices just to ensure Nitya's sugar levels are under control.
While in most developed nation all kinds of diabetes come under insurance cover, the situation is different India.Though some insurance companies do provide cover for Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, which afflicts a large section of the society, continues to be excluded.
This time, the World Health Organization has chosen diabetes as the theme for World Health Day (April 7). Given the scale of the disorder in India, there's a need to create awareness on insurance cover for little patients, says Dr Kavitha Bhat, pediatric endocrinologist, Rainbow Children's Hospital.
"Financial management is crucial for lifelong treatment. These children need to undergo multiple blood sugar checks through the day to know the daily insulin dosage. Each strip costs Rs 25," says Dr Bhat. The disorder caused due to gene mutations affects some children right from birth and others as they grow.
Treatment in such cases begin with detailed discussions with parents and affordability certainly matters, she adds.
Speaking of his experience with insurance companies, Guarav UT, the father of a four-year-old boy, says, "My son was nearly three when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after several tests and hospitalization. Initially, the private health insurance covered (refunded) his hospitalization. But once he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the insurance company backed out, stating that it's not covered under insurance." Guarav spends more than Rs 5,000 a month for his son's insulin injections. A government employee, he is covered under Employees' State Insurance (ESI) but the scheme doesn't include treatment for Type 1 diabetes.
According to International Diabetes Federation statistics, In 2015 India had around 65.1 million people affected with diabetes, compared to 50.8 million in 2010. The number is expected to touch 69.9 million by 2025.
Type 1 diabetes occurs at a younger age, especially in early teens, and is described as complete absence of insulin production, usually resulting from autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. It make for 5 to 10 % of diabetes mellitus cases in India.
The National Association of Pediatric Endocrinologists has made a representation to the Centre explaining the need to assist children with this condition. "The government has to sponsor the treatment for these children at least till they turn 18," says Dr Anjana Hulse, pediatric endocrinologist, Apollo Hospitals.
Says Dr K M Prasanna Kumar, consultant endocrinologist, Bangalore Diabetes Centre (BDC): " Many diabetic children suffer from renal failure. They must be covered under insurance at least during hospitalization."
A HELPING HAND
Bangalore Diabetes Centre, under the programme 'Changing diabetes in children', has been treating children with Type 1 diabetes for free. "We have 12 centres in Karnataka and have been able to cater to over thousand patients. But the project is only till 2018. Then on, we'll need government support," says Dr K M Prasanna Kumar, consultant endocrinologist, BDC. The programme is sponsored by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company.
JUVENILE DIABETES
Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes) is the most common form of diabetes among children. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), India has about 10 lakh children with Type I diabetes and those in the age group of 10-14 years are at a higher risk of developing it. Those aged between five and nine are at a lower lower risk and the ones in the 0-4 years bracket are at least risk.
WATCH OUT FOR
* Excessive urination
* Thirst
* Constant hunger
* Weight loss
* Vision changes
* Fatigue