"With close support, we can really make a difference in patient outcomes so we are very committed to partnering with key stakeholders to create the best patient support programs possible. In India, through our alliance with IDF and PHFI, the KiDS project will help children with Type 1 diabetes fight discrimination and manage their disease better. The project will also include health education for the school children to curb the increasing burden of Type 2 diabetes,” Viehbacher said.

“In a developing country like India, barriers to diabetes self-management at school are significant.” said Michael Hirst, President, IDF.

Hirst said, “By engaging with policy makers and education authorities, organizing meetings in local communities and providing educational resources to schools, KiDS will raise awareness of diabetes, and the benefits of healthy nutrition and exercise habits among school-age children. IDF is delighted that, in partnership with Sanofi and PHFI, KiDS will bring about a systemic change for children with diabetes in schools.”

K Srinath Reddy, President - PHFI said, “The program’s first step was a feasibility study to understand the status of diabetes management by reviewing current policies on diabetes in schools, existing school guidelines and initiatives, any best practices -- and identify gaps in the knowledge so that appropriate 2/3 resources and dissemination routes can be developed."

 

"We found that there are no structured training programs, plan or activity, implemented in the school settings that focus on diabetes management. Almost all the respondents emphasized the need for a comprehensive awareness/educational programme in schools to sensitize students, teachers and parents on management of Type 1 diabetes, and control of risk factors for Type 2 diabetes,” Reddy said.