NGOs and youth organisations from Telangana are soon planning to have a meeting to chalk out a plan of action on the proposed diabetes counselling centres on 11th August with deputy chief minister of Telangana Dr Rajaiah as the chief guest. The diabetes counselling centres are to be set up under aegis of youth and sports ministry, government of India, with the cooperation from government and private bodies.

It is understood that, the decision to give training to youth and set up 500 adolescent friendly health clinics was taken following the recommendation of Dr Rajaiah to the union health ministry, after realising the seriousness of the disease and its impact on the public and need to create awareness about it. In the wake of which, it is decided to create awareness through these clinics and counter the disease.

Interestingly, Dr Vijayakumar chairman of special task force has already come to Hyderabad to study and understand the ground realities in the state. Dr Vijaykumar will forsee training of youth through National Diabetes Prevention Control Protection for Youths (NADPRO). In fact he has already understood to have initiated a dialogue to set up 500 diabetes awareness centres in consultation with youth bodies and NGOs.

Youth and sports ministry hopes that this will also open up employment opportunities for many. They further informed that they also plan to set up a community college along with career guidance, call centre running and training, research in health related subjects etc and overall human resource development to ensure better sensitisation of key health issues.

NADPRO estimates that over 60 million people with diabetes lack access to the treatment and care they need. Universal access to essential medicines and technologies is a critical priority of NADPRO and they are advocating for it at the highest level. In addition, NADPRO will develop a ‘model of care’ to outline the essential treatment and care governments should prioritise people with diabetes, and NADPRO is working to make self-management education available to all people with diabetes.