Type 1 Diabetes Care: The West Bengal Model

Masuma Yasmin1, Sujoy Ghosh2

  • 1Research Fellow, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4131-480X.

Insights

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management is complex, requiring daily insulin, glucose monitoring, and patient support. India faces a critical T1D crisis, with the highest number of affected youth and a low life expectancy due to inadequate care.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management necessitates a comprehensive strategy including insulin therapy, blood glucose monitoring, complication screening, and patient education.
  • Inadequate and untimely care contributes to premature mortality among T1D patients.
  • India bears the highest global burden of T1D in children and adolescents (0-19 years).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical challenges in Type 1 diabetes management in India.
  • To underscore the lack of targeted national health programs for pediatric T1D.
  • To emphasize the disparity in life expectancy for T1D patients in India.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing literature and data on Type 1 diabetes prevalence and care in India.
  • Analysis of current healthcare policies and their impact on T1D patient outcomes.
  • Comparative assessment of T1D management protocols and life expectancy globally versus in India.

Main Results:

  • India has the highest number of children and adolescents living with T1D globally.
  • There is a significant absence of a national health program or policy specifically addressing T1D in this demographic.
  • The average life expectancy for individuals diagnosed with T1D in India is starkly low, reported at 29 years.

Conclusions:

  • Urgent need for a structured national approach to Type 1 diabetes care in India, particularly for pediatric and adolescent populations.
  • Implementing comprehensive T1D management strategies is crucial to improve patient outcomes and increase life expectancy.
  • Addressing the T1D crisis in India requires immediate policy intervention and resource allocation to prevent premature deaths.

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