PUNE: Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels and occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Major types of diabetes are: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
A. Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is the common type of diabetes in adults, occurs when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (insulin resistance). Obesity, inactivity, unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and family history are the major risk factors for T2D. ‘No Symptom’ is the commonest symptom of T2D, as symptoms like excessive hunger, thirst, and urination, and weight loss may not be evident in the early stages. Therefore, routine checkup of blood sugar levels aids early diagnosis and timely treatment. 5 cornerstones of T2D management are – Diet, Exercise, Regular Monitoring, Medicines, and Patient Education. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, brain, nerves, and feet.
Diabetes Unit, KEM Hospital, Pune, provides comprehensive care featuring specialized services such as the Diabetes Renal OPD, Physiotherapy Clinic, Foot Clinic, Gestational Diabetes (GDM) Clinic, and Nutrition Clinic. This integrated model is driven by a dedicated team of skilled doctors, experienced educators, certified dietitians, and expert lab technicians, all specializing in Type 2 Diabetes management. With over 10,000 registered patients, the unit emphasizes personalized care and continuous patient education through various awareness and support initiatives. A special focus is given on early diagnosis and prevention of complications.
B. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of the pancreas. As a result, the body produces very little or no insulin. As per IDF Atlas, India ranks 2nd in the list of top ten countries for the number of new cases of T1D (children and adolescents <15 years), (11,300 per year).
T1D occurs most commonly in children and adolescents. People with T1D need multiple daily insulin injections to maintain a glucose level in the proper range and would not be able to survive without insulin treatment. With daily insulin treatment, regular blood glucose monitoring, a healthy diet, and lifestyle, these patients can live a healthy life and delay or prevent complications of diabetes. Diabetes Unit KEMHRC, Pune, has more than 1700 registered T1D patients.
The cost of treatment of T1D is a major issue, and for poor families, it is a very big drain on the family income. To address the need for treatment support as well as research, the Type 1 Diabetes in India (T1DI) project was initiated in the Diabetes Unit KEMHRC, Pune, with support from the Hinduja Foundation. Other NGOs like Mukul Madhav Foundation, Nityaasha Foundation and many individual donors support the treatment of underprivileged T1D patients.
Patient engagement
The Diabetes Unit at KEM Hospital, Pune, has established ClubOne KEM, a unique patient-support initiative dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of individuals living with T1D. This pioneering program fosters active engagement between senior and newly diagnosed patients, along with their parents and caregivers, creating a supportive and interactive learning environment.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between routine medical visits by offering continuous guidance, encouragement, and peer-to-peer support. Through its activities, ClubOne KEM promotes confidence, self-management skills, and emotional well-being among young patients.
To strengthen community engagement, ClubOne KEM runs an active WhatsApp group with more than 1000 members, an informative YouTube channel featuring over 67 educational videos and more than 95,000 views, and an interactive Facebook page. These digital platforms provide ongoing education, real-life experiences, and expert advice.
The Madhuraksha mobile application was developed specially for T1D patients and their families. It is available for free on Android and iOS. This innovative app serves as a “pocket diabbuddy” for the patients. With over 2,000 downloads and nearly 800 active users, it provides vital information on insulin administration, glucose monitoring, travel tips, sick day care, FAQs, and educational articles in Marathi, Hindi, and English. The App also features calculators for insulin-dose adjustment and carbohydrate-counting, facilitating better blood glucose control.
Diabag: ClubOne has also designed a special compact bag/ pouch (Diabag) which T1D kids can carry to school or during travel. It provides safe storage for all T1D essentials (insulin in the insulated cold compartment), glucometer, hypoglycemia management supplies, emergency contacts, etc., in one place. Diabag ensures prompt assistance in case of emergency, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), when children are in school / away from home.
ClubOne KEM also conducts many workshops, competitions, and outdoor camps for T1D patients for patient engagement and empowerment.