The Department of Paediatrics at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH), in collaboration with Idhayangal Trust, Coimbatore, on Thursday launched the Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes.

A. Arun Thamburaj, Director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, and Collector V. Saravanan inaugurated the centre at a function on the hospital premises.

This is the fourth such centre in Tamil Nadu. It aims at providing comprehensive, round-the-clock care for children with type-1 diabetes through a multidisciplinary team comprising paediatricians, dedicated diabetic educators, and nutritional counsellors. The programme will offer access to the latest diabetic care tools, including modern insulin pens, long-acting and ultra short-acting insulin, glucometers, glucometer strips, and insulin delivery devices.

S. Kumaravel, Dean, MGMGH, told The Hindu that through this initiative, approximately 175 children in Tiruchi would benefit from expert care. They would get insulin titration, personalised diet planning, and continuous monitoring. It would result in improved outcomes and prevent complications. The centre was committed to supporting families by providing education, guidance, and structured management strategies to help children lead healthy and balanced lives.

He said the treatment would be provided at the doorstep of patients daily. The initiative would reinforce the State government’s commitment to enhance healthcare infrastructure and ensure that children with Type 1 Diabetes receive the best possible care with compassion, precision, and long-term support.

Recovery centre

A 20-bed Emergency Care and Recovery Centre, established under the National Health Mission (NHM), to provide comprehensive care, shelter, and reintegration services for individuals with severe mental illnesses who are homeless or wandering, was inaugurated at the hospital.

The centre, which was started in 2022 with 10 beds, has now been upgraded with 20 beds as an independent unit. It would function with the support of Dream India Networks, a non- governmental organisation. Rescued destitute or wandering mentally ill patients will be examined and provided initial treatment at the centre and later sent to rehabilitation centres run by NGOs, according to a release.