NEW DELHI: Amid rising concern over increasing diabetes cases among children and adolescents, the Centre has decided to introduce nationwide screening for diabetes among all children from birth to 18 years, while also ensuring free lifelong treatment through the public healthcare system.
The initiative has been introduced under the revamped Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0, marking the first time India has adopted a structured national strategy for the screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of childhood diabetes.
The new framework has been outlined in the Union Health Ministry’s recently released Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children. Unlike the earlier version of RBSK, which largely focused on birth defects, deficiencies, developmental delays and childhood diseases, the upgraded programme broadens its scope to include non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, along with behavioural and mental health conditions.
Under the programme, mobile health teams will conduct screening drives in schools and anganwadi centres to identify early symptoms of diabetes among children. The campaign will prominently focus on the “4Ts” warning signs — frequent use of the Toilet, excessive Thirst, constant Tiredness and becoming Thinner — to help parents, teachers and caregivers recognise possible symptoms of Type 1 diabetes at an early stage.
Health Ministry officials said children suspected of having diabetes will immediately undergo blood glucose testing and, if required, be referred to district hospitals and higher centres for confirmatory diagnosis and treatment.
The move comes at a time when India is witnessing a growing burden of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in younger populations. While Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy, doctors are also reporting a worrying rise in Type 2 diabetes among adolescents, linked to obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits and prolonged screen exposure.
Under the new guidelines, district hospitals will serve as the central hubs for diabetes care delivery. Public health facilities will provide a comprehensive package of free services, including screening, laboratory diagnosis, insulin therapy, glucometers, test strips and regular follow-up care.
Officials believe the initiative could significantly reduce the financial burden on families, many of whom struggle with the lifelong expenses associated with insulin therapy and blood glucose monitoring.
The framework also proposes an integrated referral and follow-up system connecting community-level screening with district hospitals and tertiary care institutions. According to officials, this continuum of care is intended to ensure that children diagnosed with diabetes receive uninterrupted long-term treatment and monitoring.
Doctors warn that diabetes in children is often missed because symptoms may initially appear mild or resemble routine illnesses. Delayed diagnosis can sometimes lead to serious complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Apart from medical treatment, the guidelines also place strong emphasis on counselling and family education. Parents and caregivers will be trained in insulin administration, blood sugar monitoring, dietary planning and emergency management.
The programme further introduces digital tracking systems and structured follow-up mechanisms aimed at improving treatment continuity and preventing dropouts from care.
Public health experts have welcomed the move as an important step towards addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases among children in India.
#digitaltracking #healthexpert #children #emergency #bloodsugar #glucose #insulintherapy #lifethreatening
For any query, kindly conact, indiahealthbuddy@gmail.com
