Type 1 Diabetes Program by RSSDI supported by Sanofi’s Social Impact Initiative delivering positive outcomes
Bhubaneswar: Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) along with Sanofi India Limited (SIL) have shared that their social impact program on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is helping deliver positive outcomes to reduce hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, resulting in improved care and diagnosis. The program has helped to create a universal standard-of-care, to allow diagnosis and management of this auto-immune chronic condition which impacts the pediatric population and young adults, as per standard guidelines. This program provides education on T1D management to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals and funding for free insulin, syringes, lancets, and glucose strips to 1,400+ underprivileged children living with this condition.
The program’s intervention has reduced the number of children experiencing hypoglycaemia (1 to 4 times per week) by 46% (vs. 70%) and children experiencing hyperglycaemia (1 to 4 times per week) by 25% (vs. 52%).
Of the 1400+ children living with Type 1 diabetes and enrolled in this social impact program across India, 76 children are from Odisha.
Referred to as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, people living with Type 1 diabetes and their caregivers in India continue to face challenges in diabetes management. This is because there are very few dedicated centres with trained doctors, educators, nutritionists and other support staff to treat and manage T1D. Other challenges are poor public awareness about T1D, the socio-economic burden, and access to proper healthcare facilities, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas. The above problems are compounded due to complexities like delayed diagnosis, poor cold-chain management for insulin, and insufficient education for patients and caregivers. Furthermore, it is also observed that people with Type 1 diabetes face social isolation, particularly the girls. Through this social impact program, we are spreading awareness amongst healthcare providers to join us and help promptly diagnose T1D, so that 3 years of healthy life per person[1] can be restored. Similarly, a provision of access to insulin, test strips and good self-management, could help restore 21.2 years of healthy life per person[2].
To solve the above issues, RSSDI, India’s leading national organization for diabetes, and Sanofi India joined hands in January 2021 to design a social impact program that helps create a standard-of-care for timely and better diabetes management in children and young adults. People-to-People Health Foundation (PPHF) was appointed as the implementing partner for this social impact program.
