:: Juvenile Diabetes Club ::

The Department of Medicine and Pediatrics at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana started a Juvenile Diabetes Club in 2004. The purpose of this club is to provide a platform for the children and young adults with Type 1(insulin requiring) diabetes to lead more productive lives and help and guide them in the treatment of their disease. According to the studies conducted about 5% of the total diabetic patients fall under Type I diabetes. The children with Type I diabetes require daily injections of insulin, lifelong. It is often seen that patients getting diabetes at an early age found it unbearable to cope with the stress of having the disease and tend to under perform in various areas. If properly treated and guided these children can live a healthy and productive life. Moreover in our country there are many myths associated with it. The club serves as a forum for the children to express their views about their disease as well as make friends with other children with diabetes so that they feel encouraged that they are not alone with this disease. The Club addresses to an age group of 5yrs onwards. The members of the club undergo regular check-ups and  learn to manage themselves in varied medical conditions associated with this disease. Also, the families and doctors provide them constant support, guidance and encouragement. The department holds frequent diabetes educational programs, picnics and other activities for these children.

The department has also managed to interest various large companies in the project,  Johnson and Johnson Medical provided each child with a free glucometer and disposable test strips, Eli Lilly & Co. sponsored education and food, and others supported in different ways.. The cost of the insulin which is needed daily is a drain on family resources, so free insulin is provided for the poor patients, and the cost is subsidized for others.

At their meetings, various activities are organized for the children like a painting competition, quiz and games. Every new arrival is registered and given a detailed Performa, with questions about his condition and how he felt about it. In these meetings each child is weighed and  their height  is measured, then given a suitable lunch to show them the sort of diet which is suitable for them.
 

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