Madurai: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court sought to know from the Centre and the Tamil government whether diabetic students appearing for public exams can be allowed to carry required medicines like insulin.
The bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice S S Sundar was hearing a PIL which sought the court to direct the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the state education department to enable the Type I diabetic students to take tablets, chocolates, candy, fruits and insulin pump and to allow them to attend natural calls. The petition sought a circular to be issued in this regard.
The court asked both the governments whether they had a proposal to include Type I Diabetes as a disability under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act.
On the direction of the judges, two doctors, Dr E Subbiah, the head of the department of diabetology, and Dr S Rajakumar, chief civil surgeon in ESI hospital, appeared in the court. They said a sizeable population in the country was affected with Type I diabetes and that it was most important for these students to carry insulin and also snacks in the examination hall.
The judges asked whether required number of diabetologists were available, if they were appointed in taluk level hospitals, or any camp had been conducted to identify Type I diabetes and posted the case for hearing on 4 April.