SAHAYOGA: Comprehensive Care for Children with Type 1 Diabetes Launched at MAHE

An Initiative of Department of Paediatrcs, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal supported by Manipal Foundation

Manipal, Feb 08, 2025: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) launched ‘SAHAYOGA: Comprehensive Care for Children with Type 1 Diabetes’ at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The initiative, supported by the Manipal Foundation, aims to provide affordable treatment and essential medical supplies for children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).

Dr. Ranjan R Pai, Chairman of MEMG and President of MAHE Trust, officially inaugurated the program by handing over the first diabetes care kit to Dr. Leslie Edward S Lewis, Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics, along with Dr. Sahana Shetty, Professor and Head of the Department of Endocrinology, and Dr. Koushik Urala H, Paediatric Endocrinologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics.

Dignitaries present at the event included Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh VSM (Retd), Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, and Dr. Harinarayan Sharma, CEO of Manipal Foundation.

The SAHAYOGA initiative aims to provide economically disadvantaged children with high-quality insulin, insulin pens, glucometers, glucose testing strips, and other essential treatments at minimal cost. It also seeks to create a collaborative platform involving families, teachers, healthcare specialists, and educators to ensure better outcomes for children with T1DM.

Dr. Ballal emphasized the importance of providing quality healthcare to underprivileged children and highlighted MAHE’s commitment to community health. Lt Gen (Dr) Venkatesh noted that the initiative enhances healthcare accessibility and aligns with MAHE’s broader mission of community service. He added that the program would benefit all eligible paediatric patients with T1DM across teaching hospitals under MAHE.

Dr. Harinarayan Sharma acknowledged the role of the Manipal Foundation in funding the initiative and reiterated its commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved populations.

Senior officials from MAHE, including Dr. Sharath K Rao, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), Dr. P Giridhar Kini, Registrar, Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean of KMC, Manipal, Dr. Anand Venugopal, COO of Teaching Hospital, and Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, were also present.

SAHAYOGA marks a significant step in addressing childhood diabetes in India and reinforces Kasturba Hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare for economically disadvantaged children.