Diabetes In Children: Karnataka Government To Give Free Insulin Shots to 5,000 Kids

Managing diabetes isn’t easy for kids. It can be even more challenging. It takes a toll on both the patient and the caregiver. The cost of medications and other out-of-pocket expenses also increase daily due to inflation. In the face of all this, managing the condition becomes burdensome. For children with diabetes, the expenses for insulin injections add pressure to the finances of the family. Insulin isn’t under the emergency drug list (EDL), so families have to spend thousands of rupees every month to procure these shots. The Karnataka health department has proposed that the government provide free insulin injections to around 5000 kids in the state to ease the burden. According to the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research (in Indiranagar), the estimated number of Type-I diabetic patients below 18 years of age in the state is 10,000-11,000. This is based on data from the International Diabetes Federation. If the proposed scheme is implemented, it will benefit around 5000 kids in the state and cost the exchequer around 25 crores.