Budget to provide electronic sensors for children with type 1 diabetes hailed

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s directive to provide electronic sensors and insulin pumps for children with type 1 diabetes has been applauded by both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, expressed her gratitude to His Majesty and said, “The noble Royal directives come as confirmation of His Majesty’s continued interest for the children, regardless of their ages. It is a continuation of the high patronage that the school education sector is enjoying during his prosperous era.”

She added that the “electronic sensors and insulin pumps provided under the Royal directives contribute significantly to ensuring a healthy and comfortable life for students, allowing them to pursue education with confidence and ease.”

Dr. Madiha extended her thanks on behalf of the Ministry of Education’s employees and parents of the students, and said, “Providing these sensors contributes to providing the means and capabilities for a decent, healthy life for this category of students in order to enable them to continue their learning in the educational ladder with comfort and reassurance for themselves, their parents, and educational staff in schools.”

The Ministry of Health also welcomed the Royal orders.

Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, said, “This generous gesture is a manifestation of His Majesty’s continuous interest and care to advance comprehensive health care for citizens.”

He emphasised the significance of electronic sensors and insulin pumps, and said, “The group of children afflicted with type 1 diabetes often faces difficulty living with the disease, and with the presence of these sensors and pumps, their coexistence will be more flexible.”

Dr. Al Sabti added, “These devices will have therapeutic value for those afflicted people who face a constant and life-threatening danger, represented by severe low or high blood sugar levels, which may directly lead to death.”

He stressed that these technological advancements will also contribute to reducing long-term complications affecting various organs of the child’s body.

Both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health collectively expressed their gratitude for His Majesty’s continuous interest and care towards the well-being of the nation’s children, reflecting a holistic approach to healthcare and education in Oman.

His Majesty the Sultan issued Royal orders allocating an annual budget for the Ministry of Health to facilitate the provision of electronic sensor devices for measuring glucose levels in children with diabetes.

The glucose monitoring sensors represent cutting-edge technologies and advanced methods aimed at alleviating symptoms associated with blood glucose, providing accurate monitoring to address the complications of this disease. 

While there is no perfect cure for type 1 diabetes, control in children is possible by limiting the occurrence of serious complications. This is achieved through the application of advanced medical methods and technologies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients and facilitating their active participation in various school and social activities.

The Royal orders are targeted at addressing the challenges faced by some patients in embracing traditional treatments that heavily rely on insulin injections.

Dr. Dilip Kumar Singhvi, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Shifa Hospital, said: “It is a commendable initiative by His Majesty to provide blood sugar sensors for children with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes in children and young adolescents necessitates daily insulin injections due to the absence of insulin in the body for controlling blood sugar. Strict monitoring is essential.

“These blood sugar sensors play a crucial role in achieving control and also in detecting if sugar levels dip below the normal range, leading to hypoglycemia and its associated adverse effects. The implementation of these sensors will significantly contribute to our mission to manage and control blood sugar not only in children but also in adults with type 2 diabetes, which has seen a notable increase, particularly in the post-COVID era.”

He added: “Globally, 540 million people are affected by diabetes, with many more undiagnosed and unaware of their condition. In Oman, there are approximately half a million people with diabetes, including around 3000 children with type 1 diabetes, and this number continues to rise.”