NHM rolls out first phase of pediatric diabetes care with free, global-standard services
Coimbatore: After inaugurating a dedicated diabetes care centre in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu unit of the National Health Mission (NHM) is set to expand specialized care for children with Type 1 diabetes to six additional districts within the next two months.
NHM Mission Director Dr. A. Arun Thamburaj confirmed that the first phase of this statewide initiative will begin at select government medical college hospitals. These include:
- Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem
- Government Raja Mirasudar Hospital, Thanjavur
- K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, Tiruchy
- Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital
- Government Medical College Hospitals in Tiruvarur and Dharmapuri
Currently, over 2,600 children are registered for Type 1 diabetes treatment at government hospitals across Tamil Nadu. The establishment of these new centres aims to significantly improve access to specialized, free-of-cost care, including medical treatment, education, and psychological counselling, aligned with global standards.
To ensure consistency in treatment delivery, NHM is also formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to unify Type 1 diabetes management protocols across all government hospitals.
Dr. Thamburaj noted, “This initiative offers end-to-end care for children affected by Type 1 diabetes. We’ve partnered with Coimbatore-based Idhayangal Trust, which brings valuable experience in handling pediatric diabetes cases.”
Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan of Idhayangal Trust welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step toward equitable healthcare, especially for children from underprivileged communities who otherwise struggle to access ongoing diabetes care.
This development follows increasing national and international calls from diabetologists and healthcare experts to provide free life-saving devices — such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems — for children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in India.
The Tamil Nadu health department has confirmed that these centres will eventually be extended to all districts in a phased rollout, ensuring comprehensive statewide coverage for pediatric diabetes care.
