Kerala human rights panel urges hike in income limit for Mithayi Scheme beneficiaries

T’puram: State human rights commission (SHRC) recommended that state govt sympathetically consider increasing the annual family income ceiling for beneficiaries of Mithayi Scheme, which provides support and care for children and adolescents suffering from Type 1 diabetes.

SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the directive while considering a complaint regarding the implementation of the scheme. At present, families with an annual income of up to Rs 2 lakh are eligible to avail the benefits under the programme.

The commission also directed National Health Mission (NHM) to take steps to ensure that eligible beneficiaries above the age of 18 continue to receive medicines required for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

In its report to the commission, social justice department stated that the proposal to enhance the annual income limit would be considered favourably when state’s financial situation improves.

The department informed SHRC that between 800 and 1,200 children are enrolled in Mithayi Scheme every year. Currently, govt is spending more than Rs 6.78 crore on the treatment and care of 1,980 children enrolled under the programme.

For the current financial year, state govt allocated Rs 3.80 crore for the scheme. The report further noted that Rs 70 lakh from the funds earmarked for 2025-26 financial year was set aside for purchasing medicines for Type 1 diabetes patients.

The commission’s intervention came in response to a complaint submitted by Shihabudheen, general secretary of Type 1 Diabetics Foundation, seeking enhanced support for children and young adults affected by the chronic condition.

Mithayi Scheme was launched to provide free insulin, glucose monitoring equipment and other essential support to children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, helping reduce the financial burden on families and improve long-term disease management.