Why students with Type 1 diabetes not allowed pills, snacks during exams: HC

Recording the submission made by heads of both the Government Rajaji Hospital and ESI Hospital in Madurai that it is important for Type 1 diabetes students to carry their sugar monitoring device, insulin and snacks to the examination hall, a division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice S S Sundar said the issue was being raised in public interest as a sizeable population in India are affected with Type 1 diabetes and the doctors state that approximately 0.4 per cent of Indian population are affected with type 1 diabetes.

Seeking to know about the percentage of population including students affected by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the bench also sought to know as to whether the Centre has got any proposal to include Type 1 diabetes as disability under the Schedule of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act so as to enable the persons to get benefits under the Act.

The other questions raised included whether required diabetologists were available in India, the requirement of diabetologist for treating diabetes patients in India, whether diabetologists or endocrinologists were appointed in taluk level hospitals throughout India and in Tamil Nadu, and why shouldn’t the State and Centre hold camps, especially in schools, to find juvenile Type 1 diabetes at the initial stage itself to provide appropriate treatment.

The questions raised was in response to a public interest litigation seeking to direct the concerned authorities to issue a proper and complete circular to allow Type 1 diabetic patients to carry their medication and food to examination halls. The plea has been posted to April 4 for orders.