The Centre is launching a nationwide programme to systematically screen children from birth to 18 years for diabetes, with provisions for free, lifelong treatment under the expanded Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK 2.0). The new guidelines, released at a national public health summit, establish a structured framework for early detection, diagnosis, and continuous management of diabetes through the public health infrastructure. Mobile health teams will conduct screenings in schools and anganwadi centres, focusing on the '4Ts' — frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and weight loss — followed by immediate blood glucose testing and referral to district NCD clinics for confirmation and care.

This policy shift reflects a broader transformation in India's child health strategy, moving beyond the traditional focus on communicable diseases and malnutrition to confront the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. RBSK 2.0 adopts a lifecycle approach and expands the original '4Ds' — defects, diseases, deficiencies, and developmental delays — to include conditions like diabetes and mental health disorders. The framework acknowledges the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among adolescents, linked to sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, and increased screen time, and integrates digital health tools for patient tracking and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.

At the operational level, district hospitals will serve as the primary hubs for comprehensive diabetes management, offering a fully funded care package that includes diagnostics, lifelong insulin supply, glucometers, test strips, and regular clinical monitoring. Families will receive training in insulin administration, glucose monitoring, and emergency response to complications such as hypoglycemia. The programme emphasizes not only treatment but also prevention, advocating for early lifestyle interventions in schools and communities to curb the rise in obesity and insulin resistance.

Looking ahead, the success of the initiative will depend on robust implementation, inter-sectoral coordination, and sustained investment in health workforce capacity. While the policy represents a landmark step toward universal child health coverage, challenges remain in reaching remote populations, maintaining supply chains for insulin and test kits, and ensuring data integration across health systems. If effectively executed, the programme could significantly reduce diabetes-related morbidity and mortality, prevent long-term complications, and alleviate the financial burden on families — setting a precedent for NCD management in low- and middle-income countries.