Over 1,200 Children in Kerala Excluded from ‘Mittayi’ Scheme for Type 1 Diabetes

October 19, 2023

In Kerala, approximately 1,200 children under the age of 18 are not eligible for the state government’s ‘Mittayi’ scheme, which provides support to those suffering from Type 1 diabetes, due to their parents’ annual income exceeding ₹2 lakh.

Type 1 Diabetes and the ‘Mittayi’ Scheme

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by the pancreas producing little or no insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels. While it was once primarily seen in children, it now affects adults as well. There is no cure, and patients must manage their blood sugar levels through insulin injections and lifestyle adjustments, which can be costly.

The Kerala government launched the ‘Mittayi’ scheme in 2018 under the Kerala Social Security Mission. The initiative provides free insulin therapy and continuous glucose monitoring devices to eligible beneficiaries. To qualify for the scheme, applicants must be under 18 years old and have a family income of less than ₹2 lakh annually.

Growing Number of Beneficiaries

  • Since its inception, the ‘Mittayi’ scheme has seen a growing number of beneficiaries.
  • In 2018, 910 children registered with the mission, increasing to 1,636 in 2021 and 1,710 in 2022.
  • By August 2023, a total of 2,122 individuals had registered with the mission.
  • If unregistered cases are considered, there could be around 4,000 affected patients in Kerala, with a significant number in districts like Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

Income Limit Concerns

  • The Type 1 Diabetic Welfare Society, a collective of parents of children with the condition based in Kozhikode, has raised concerns about the income limit.
  • They argue that the cost of treatment often exceeds the financial capacity of many families.
  • While the Society requested the removal of the income limit in 2019, no steps have been taken to address this issue, leaving many children excluded from the ‘Mittayi’ scheme despite their need for support.
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