NBSE notifies schools on health of children with Type-1 diabetes

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body formed under section (3) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 (No.4 of 2006) to ensure that the rights of children are protected, especially of those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.

NCPCR has been mandated to inquire into the matters pertaining to violation and deprivation of rights and entitlements of children and to monitor the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (section 109, JJ Act 2015), the Right to Education Act, 2009 and Protection of children from Sexual offences Act, 2012.

According to the data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2021, India has the world’s highest number of children and adolescents suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (TIDM), with more than 2.4 Lakhs children and adolescents (age group 0-19 years) in south east Asia (SEA region). The TID Index has estimated, however, that there are 8.75 million persons with TID in India alone. Persons with TIDM require 3-5 injections of insulin every day, along with 3-5 blood sugar tests every day, for a lifetime. Absence or disruption of standard care affects their physical and mental well-being, and can even be fatal. Children and adolescents living with TIDM face several challenges, which are made worse by inadequate medical care and/or inadequate medical supplies.

As such, NCPCR has taken cognizance of the petitions received from parents of the children diagnosed with juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes in the country. Since children spend one third of the day in school, it is the duty of the schools to ensure that children with TIDM are provided with proper care and required facilities.

In this regard, the Nagaland Board of School Education has notified all schools registered with the Board that in order to ensure health of children with Type 1 diabetes, the following may be adhered to-

· A child with Type-1 diabetes, who requires a mid-morning or mid- afternoon snack should be permitted by the class teacher to consume it.

· The child can participate in sports as advised by a medical person.

· Children with Type-1 diabetes giving their school exams and other competitive exams may be considered for the following-

1. Permitted to carry sugar tablets with them.

2. Medicines/fruits, snacks, drinking water, some biscuits/ peanuts/ dry fruit should be allowed into the exam hall and kept with the teacher, if required these items shall be given to children during the examinations.

3. The staff should permit the child to carry a glucometer and glucose testing strips along with him/her into the exam hall which may be kept with an Invigilator/ Teacher.

4. The child should be permitted to test blood sugar and consume the above mentioned items as per requirements.

5. Children using CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring), FGM (Flash Glucose Monitoring) and/ or insulin pumps have to be given permission to retain these devices during exams as they are attached to the body of the said child. In case a smart phone is used as a reader, it may be handed over to the Teacher/ Invigilator to monitor the blood sugar levels.

Mokokchung Times