Pune: The rising cost of diabetes treatment is driving many families in Maharashtra into financial distress, with poor and middle-class households bearing the brunt.
According to a report by the Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, 8.5% of Maharashtra’s population is affected by diabetes, and the skyrocketing prices of insulin, medicines, and glucose-monitoring devices are making it difficult for patients to manage their health.
Escalating Medical Costs Affecting Families
Diabetes treatment involves lifelong expenses, including the cost of medications, insulin injections, glucose monitoring devices, and regular doctor consultations. The sharp rise in prices has made it increasingly difficult for families to afford essential diabetes care. Many patients, especially from economically weaker sections, struggle to maintain stable blood sugar levels due to financial constraints.
The rising costs have also led to an increase in cases of uncontrolled diabetes, which can result in serious complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs. If left untreated, these complications can put an enormous economic and social burden on the state.
Call for Government Intervention
Highlighting this critical issue, Nupur Lalwani and Snehal Nandgavli from the Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation have emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental right and should be affordable and accessible to all.
In a public statement, they have urged the authorities to implement price control measures on diabetes medications and medical equipment. They stressed the need for concrete policy changes to ensure that essential diabetes treatment remains within reach for all patients, regardless of their financial status.