Nawalpur. Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel has said preparations are underway to make diabetes tests and treatment in children free of cost.

At a diabetes test and public awareness programme organized at Gaindakot of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta East) today, he said preparations were underway to operate the service in all seven provinces.

Health Minister Poudel said, “We are working to make diabetes testing and treatment in children free of cost in all the seven provinces.” Minister Poudel said it was necessary to bring a special child-friendly program in nepal’s health system.

He said that children should be addressed by bringing special programs about other diseases including hereditary diseases. “In the recent past, there have been many problems regarding children in the society,” he said, adding, “The issue of looking at the screen to use digital devices including mobiles, TVs, laptops is causing problems.” ’

Minister Poudel said that everyone should be careful about the problems faced by the children and the government should facilitate the treatment. He said that the state should formulate a policy on how to make the treatment of children and senior citizens free of cost.

“In the case of elderly and children, the state has to bear the burden,” he said. He argued that if the state could not help in health care, it was not a welfare state.

On the occasion, Country Director of Nura Health Foundation Dr Sushil Koirala said that there are two types of diabetes and this disease has been named ‘Diabetes Type 1’. “The amount of insulin produced by the body in older people is low and it can be controlled by taking medicines,” he said, adding, “The body does not produce insulin in children’s diabetes. ’

Stating that the number of children with type 1 diabetes may be high, he said that there are currently 600 patients enlisted in Nepal. “Some patients have not come for treatment, some have gone to India for treatment,” he said, adding, “We do not have the exact data of children with diabetes.” ’

He said that diabetes type 1 is being treated at five different hospitals in Nepal. Dr Koirala said that special caution and caution should be taken in this regard as the disease starts in adolescence.

Children suffering from diabetes type 1 shared their experiences at the event. They said that even if they are sick, they can lead a normal life if they are treated on time. Gaindakot Basic Hospital and Quest Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. provided technical support in the diabetes test organized on the occasion of the 47th foundation day of Bijaya Development Resource Centre at Gaindakot.

On the occasion, Bijaya Development Resource Centre Chair Krishna Prasad Sapkota said the programme was organized keeping in mind the need for health awareness about diabetes. Chairman Sapkota said that health is a big wealth and people should improve their diet and lifestyle to stay healthy.