Lok Sabha Question No. 3765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-11
Subject: Type-One Diabetic Children
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3765 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th AUGUST, 2023

## TYPE-ONE DIABETIC CHILDREN

## 3765. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Type One Diabetes has increased at an alarming rate in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to address the said issue;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note that insurance companies are denying health insurance coverage for Type One Diabetes children and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any necessary action to avoid discrimination of insurance companies against Type One Diabetes children and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) and (b): As per Indian Council of Medical Research, it is very difficult to conduct a survey for children with type 1 diabetes as the frequency of type 1 diabetes is not high enough to warrant screening of all children for type 1 diabetes. Only screening of adults for type 2 diabetes is cost effective and is currently recommended. However, there is a registry maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research called as the Young Diabetes Registry (YDR), which has been in existence for the last several years. This collects data on patients with type 1 diabetes from different parts of the country. ICMR ' s Young Diabetes Registry (age group at diagnosis below 25 years) is ongoing at 12 collaborating centers and around 250 reporting centers and collected data of 26,000 subjects. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is the most prevalent (63.9%) followed by youth onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (25.3%); though there are regional variations.

The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases (NP-NCD) including diabetes. Under the program, all age-groups, including children, are covered. The programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Diabetes. Under NP-NCD, 724 District NCD Clinics, 210 Cardiac Care Centre, and 6110 Community Health Center NCD Clinics have been set up.

A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e. diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Screening of diabetes is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres.

Further, initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National & International Health Days and use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through FSSAI. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

Under NP-NCD, glucometer and drugs for diabetes are provided as per the proposals received from the states. Insulin and insulin pumps are provided as per requirement of States in Programme Implementation Plan (PIPs). Under Free Drugs Service Initiative of NHM, financial support is provided to States/UTs for provision of free essential medicines including insulin for poor and needy people.

Furthermore, quality generic medicines including insulin are made available at affordable prices to all, under ' Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, to make available diabetes drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price.

Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), health assurance/insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization to over 60 Crores beneficiaries is provided. The treatment packages under AB-PMJAY are very comprehensive covering various treatment related aspects of Diabetes.

(c) and (d): As per Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the insurers based on objective criteria determine the underwriting parameters and coverage under the products and hence decision to accept or decline risk associated with a particular health condition is in the realm of insurers.