Centre issues guidelines for free diabetes testing and treatment for children

The Union Health Ministry has issued a comprehensive guideline document on screening, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of diabetes in children. The document was released during a national health conference held under the ministry’s supervision.

The framework aims to identify diabetes early among children from birth up to 18 years of age. It proposes nationwide screening through community and school-based platforms to ensure timely detection of the disease.

According to the guidelines, suspected cases will undergo immediate blood glucose testing and will be referred to district-level health centres for confirmation and treatment. The programme also ensures free services, including screening, diagnosis, lifelong insulin therapy, glucometers, test strips, and regular follow-up care at government health facilities.