To better meet the needs of students with type 1 diabetes, KEM Hospital organized a sensitisation session for school managements on Saturday. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Directorate of Education, and Government of Maharashtra have issued directions to schools regarding care of children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Director and consultant of the diabetes unit at KEM Hospital and Research Centre Dr. Chittaranjan S Yajnik said, “Type 1 diabetes is a 24×7 condition and requires medical, family and social support. Children spend a large part of their day in their schools and the school ecosystem needs to evolve to support them in every way.”
The management of around 50 schools were present at the programme. Officials from the state governments, education and health departments, child specialists, psychologists and parents discussed the needs and ways of supporting children with the medical condition.
Most Read
Gadar 2 box office collection Day 1: Sunny Deol-starrer storms theatres; delivers Bollywood’s second-biggest opening of 2023, breaks single screen records
‘They are dealers, not leaders’: Retired judges, officers write to President seeking action against ‘China-backed portal’
See More
Pragya Verma, parent of a 15-year-old child with T1D, said, “The responsibility of parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes is to inform, assure and educate the school on the dietary considerations and insulin requirements of the child. In turn, the school should have a medical room facility, trained nurses and an environment where the child is supported and not discriminated against.”
Emphasis was laid on the need for medical-education partnership to remove fear and stigma associated with the medical condition. The presenters also talked about the symptoms, risks of hypoglycaemia and the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Speaking at the event, lawyer Sairekha Suresh said, “Students should be allowed to carry to class as well as examinations, a glucometer, testing strips, a snack, needles and other such items they may need for diabetes care.”
