Underprivileged children with diabetes can look forward with hope. A ‘Changing Diabetes in Children’ (CDiC) centre was launched at Marenahalli in JP Nagar on Sunday.

Part of a nationwide campaign that aims to reach over 2,500 underprivileged children with Type I diabetes, the project is expected to set up centers across the country in the next two years.

Organized by Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF), in association with Samatvam, the objective of the campaign is to provide comprehensive diabetes care to children below poverty line.M

“The centres will ensure access to comprehensive diabetes care, including free insulin to children with Type I diabetes. They will also provide diagnosis, patient education and treatment,” said Melvin D’Souza, managing trustee, NNEF.

Significantly, a large number of children with Type 1 diabetes die because of lack of diagnostic facilities and treatment on time. Over 4.4 lakh children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Usha Dhiman, who has been living with diabetes for more than 50 years, was felicitated on the occasion. Honouring her, former Chief Justice of India Justice M N Venkatachaliah said: “People like Dhiman are a source of inspiration not just for people with diabetes but for the public at large.”