Juvenile Diabetes

We all know that India is the Diabetes capital of the world!

What is sad is to see this disease impact children.

I recently attended a diabetes awareness program in Pune by reputed diabetologist Dr Abhay Mutha. It is one of the largest awareness movements in India and was truly an eye opener for me.Some facts I learned -  Treatment for Type 1 diabetes that can cost 1.5 to 4 lakhs a month (how can a middle class family afford this?) Awareness and detection is very low in a country like india. Type 1 diabetes cause can be genetic or due to environment factors such as viral infection. If a child is not treated well, it can result in a coma. Not to mention the lifestyle issues like the child being denied chocolates and not allowed to play cricket with his friends due to ignorance (beautifully highlighted by a play by Delhi Public School at Dr Mutha’s event). Even these kids can lead a normal and happy life IF this is detected and managed well.

But in a country that spends 4.1% GDP on healthcare compared to 18% in the US and in a country where health insurance is a luxury, it is truly a curse for a low income family to get such an expensive lifestyle disease!

It was wonderful to see a doctor who is one of the busiest and most sought after names in this field, take out the time, supported by his entire family to help needy diabetic patients by providing free treatment and even free education. Every year he conducts a walkathon with over 1000 students and also gives an award to a diabetic child who has achieved something significant inspite of this disease. This year the award was given to Maitree from Ahmedabad who completed her trek to the highest peak in Greece with her sheer will power! Dr Mutha gets sports and bollywood celebrities to attend and encourage the attendees.A very well organized and sincere effort from a man who passionately believes that every one must do their bit to help these children!

If you are a mom like me and want to help these children, do 2 things, contact and contribute to his foundation at dcrfpune.com and next time you feel like indulging your kid by making him eat some junk food or by allowing him to skip his sports class, think of what harm you are doing by giving such bad habits and STOP yourself.