‘For type-1 diabetes, artificial pancreas is ideal treatment’

Even though India is known to be the diabetes capital of the world, sadly, the newer therapies and modalities of treatment for diabetic patients are yet to reach the lower rung of society as these services are not available in government-run hospitals.

In such a scenario, it becomes important for private doctors and non-governmental organisations to step in and subsidise diabetic care for patients who can’t afford the treatment.

Alifiya Khan spoke to Dr Abhay Mutha, diabetologist at Ruby Hall Clinic and founder of Diabetes Care & Research Foundation (DCRF), who has started a unique project of adopting needy diabetic children and providing free insulin pumps.

What are the newer therapies available for type-1 diabetes patients?
Type-1 diabetes is a serious problem and there is no choice but to take insulin injections throughout one’s life. Fortunately, we have newer insulins and good injection delivery devices like pens available today. But the most ideal treatment for type-1 diabetes in the world is artificial pancreas, that is insulin pumps.

How do pumps work and why are they considered superior?
Pumps are important as they completely stop the patient’s dependence on insulin injections. It is a pager-like device with a small wire going through front wall of the abdomen of a patient. The machine has a supply of insulin and according to the dose set in the device, it keeps giving insulin to the patient regularly.
Patients don’t have to remember when to take doses as insulin gets injected regularly. Every time the insulin is about to get over, a small alarm goes off and the person has to just refill the insulin. They are considered superior as it stops dependence on insulin injection, improves sugar control remarkably and makes ensures that patients can lead normal lives.

Are these pumps affordable?
The cost of the insulin pumps today is between Rs1 lakh and 3.5 lakh, depending on different models. Unfortunately, these pumps are not available in the government health institutes. However, some NGOs do provide these pumps to people. My foundation, Diabetes Care & Research Foundation (DCRF), is running a unique project in which we adopt the type-1 children and take complete care of them till the age of 18.

What are the criteria for adoption and what does it cover?
The requisites are that students should be needy, have bright academic records and be part of extra-curricular activities. We provide insulin, hospitalisation as well as education. So far, we have adopted 171 children from various parts of Maharashtra. Last year, we donated insulin pumps to seven children and we plan to do the same this year.

Helpline
Contact DCRF on (020) 30524233, 26124232 or email: drabhaymutha@gmail.com