'Mittayi' turns bitter: Diabetic kids hit hard by change in insulin regime

Children have to wait for an hour after insulin shot before eating, disrupting school routines

- UNNIKRISHNAN S @T'Puram

NEARLY 2,000 children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) from low-income families have been struggling since June 1, following a change in the insulin regimen under the Mittayi Project run by the Social Security Mission. The switch from rapid-acting to slow-acting insulin has caused delays in meals, poor blood sugar control, and serious health complications, especially for school-going children.

Children now have to wait up to an hour after their insulin shot before eating, disrupting school routines and often leaving them hungry and distressed. "The wait gets longer because blood sugar has to be checked before meals and the insulin dose adjusted. Kids start crying when they see others eating," said Abdul Jaleel, state secretary of the Kerala Type 1 Diabetes Welfare Society.