Posted by : Admin|Date : 24 Jun, 2025|Location : Karamsad

A Sweet Victory in Sight: Doctor Sisters Secure Landmark Policies for Type 1 Diabetic Children

Two visionary doctor sisters, Dr. Shukla Rawal, a Pramukhswami Medical College alumna from the 1990 batch, and her sister Dr. Smita Joshi, have spearheaded a monumental movement in India, transforming the landscape of care for children battling Type 1 Diabetes. Their unwavering dedication, ignited by a child's poignant plea in 2018, has resulted in significant policy changes and renewed hope for countless young lives.

The sisters' mission began after hearing a heart-wrenching conversation in their hospital: a 4-year-old girl, enduring daily insulin injections, told her mother, "Mom, don't cry; insulin injections don't hurt me, but I don't like you crying, Mom." These words, deeply impacting their mother Bharatiben Rawal, spurred the sisters into action, dedicating their lives to improving outcomes for diabetic children.

From 2018 to 2023, Dr. Shukla and Dr. Smita provided free glucometers and strips to all diabetic children in Mehsana district and organized regular medical camps. Recognizing a critical gap in public awareness, they undertook an extraordinary 3,500-kilometer "self-driving" public awareness campaign from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, accompanied by their sons, Dr. Mann and Dr. Raja. This journey highlighted the urgent need to educate the public that children can develop diabetes and require lifelong insulin.

Driven by the alarming disparity in life expectancy—20-24 years for diabetic children in India versus 70-80 years in America—the sisters further embarked on a 4,000-kilometer self-driving expedition from San Francisco to Atlanta in the USA. Here, they engaged with the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), a formidable organization of 100,000 Indian-origin doctors, to advocate for improving the lifespan of diabetic children in India.

Their relentless advocacy efforts since 2021 have been instrumental in securing crucial government support for free treatment. Mehsana District Panchayat initially allocated ?10 lakhs, followed by an additional ?30 lakhs in 2023, for the first time in India, providing "insulin pens" to children in Mehsana, significantly reducing injection pain.

The Gujarat Government, under the leadership of Health Minister Hon’ble Shri Hrishikeshbhai Patel, responded positively to their struggle. In the 2023-2024 budget, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly allocated a historic ?13.88 crore annually for the treatment of diabetic children – a pioneering initiative in India. Further advocacy with the central government led to an additional ?13.50 crore annually from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, bringing the total to approximately ?27 crore for free treatment in Gujarat. Soon, Gujarat will become the first state globally to provide free insulin pens and glucometer strips at primary health centers, a service typically covered by private insurance in countries like America.

Their influence extends beyond Gujarat. The Government of Rajasthan recently announced dedicated Type 1 Diabetes clinics in every district, making it the second state after Gujarat to take such a significant step, largely due to the sisters' efforts.

The "Diabetes Children’s Campaign" recently received the blessings of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi and a pledge from Honorable Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda, emphasizing the Government of India's commitment to the one million children with diabetes in the country.

A historic meeting in Delhi with Health Secretary of India, Punya Salila Srivastava, and M.D., National Health Mission, Aradhana Patnaik, led to the landmark decision that the Government of India will release a National Guideline for Diabetic Children within the next three months. This guideline will ensure free insulin for diabetic children across all states in India.

Prior to this momentous announcement, Dr. Shukla and Dr. Smita undertook another self-funded car drive across 10 states—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh—to sensitize policymakers and disseminate information about the upcoming national guidelines.

Looking ahead, the sisters are planning a campaign in America to study advanced technologies that provide a pain-free life for diabetic children, aiming to cultivate similar solutions in India under the "Make in India" initiative.

Embodying their philosophy of "A citizen's duty towards society," Dr. Shukla Rawal and Dr. Smita Joshi have self-funded all their work since 2018, demonstrating an unmatched commitment to their noble cause. Their journey is a testament to the power of passion, advocacy, and unwavering dedication in bringing about transformative change.