NEW DELHI. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released a landmark Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children, marking the first time India has established a structured national framework for the screening, diagnosis, and long-term management of the condition in minors. Unveiled at the National Summit on Best Practices in Public Healthcare Service Delivery, this initiative integrates childhood diabetes care directly into the public health system. The guidelines mandate universal health screening for all children from birth to 18 years through community and school platforms, ensuring that suspected cases receive immediate testing and rapid referral to district facilities for confirmed treatment.
A central feature of this new framework is the provision of a free, comprehensive care package at public health centers, which includes lifelong insulin therapy, glucometers, and diagnostic services. The strategy focus on a continuum of care that links community screening with advanced medical management while emphasizing the empowerment of families. By training caregivers in insulin administration and emergency response, the government aims to reduce mortality through early detection and significantly improve the quality of life for affected children across the country.
