Bengaluru, August 05, 2018: Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) organised an awareness run at Cubbon Park to mark World Insulin Day. The run was flagged off by Padma Sri Anil Kumble, Changing Diabetes® ambassador.Over 150 children with type 1 diabetes participated in the run with their parents.
Type 1 diabetes is the second most common chronic disease among children in India1 with over 1.25 lakh affected children and young adults.2India also has the second largest incidence and prevalence of children with type 1 diabetes in the world.3In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin and needs external insulin on a daily basis.
World Insulin day is observed on 30 July as it was on this day in 1921 that the first successful insulin injection was given. The Insulin Day run was organized to bring the attention of government stakeholders to the need for providing children with type 1 diabetes care and support.
“Through the Changing Diabetes® in Children programme, we are supporting over 1,000 children in Karnataka. But the need is much more. To ensure all children with type 1 diabetes receive the required care, we need the support of the government,” said Dr K.M. Prasanna Kumar, Director – Primer Academy of Medical Sciences (PAMS).
Reiterating the commitment towards supporting children with type 1 diabetes in India, Melvin D’souza, Managing Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation said: “At Novo Nordisk, we have a mission to ensure every child with type 1 diabetes lives a healthy life. And for this, we need to work collectively with all stakeholders including the government to ensure that these children get timely access to care. Our Changing Diabetes® in Children programme is currently helping over 4000 children in India by providing them free medication, glucometers, strips and medical check-ups. This is our commitment towards building a healthier future for India.”
Shri Anil Kumblesaid: “I am glad that I had the opportunity to interact with these talented children with type 1 diabetes. I was happy to see their positivity and optimism. As Changing Diabetes® ambassador, I appeal to government stakeholders to extend full support to these children.”
The Changing Diabetes® in Children programme is Novo Nordisk Education Foundation’s (NNEF) response to the diabetes challenge. CDiC has been working to raise awareness, improve access to care and address psychosocial aspects of diabetes among children to improve their lives since its inauguration in 2011 by late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
