India’s First Youth-Led Diabetes Policy Study: How One Teen Sparked Systemic Change
For most kids, life is about school, friends, and simple dreams. For Veruschka Pandey, it was about saving lives. During a CPR training session she was conducting at a rural school, a young girl suddenly collapsed. Even though doctors were present, they could not immediately identify the condition. Later, it was found to be hyperglycemia—dangerously high blood sugar levels. That single moment opened Veruschka’s eyes to the silent crisis of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in India. It was the spark that transformed a teenager’s concern into a mission of evidence, advocacy, and change.Turning Pain into PurposeInstead of stopping at criticism, Veruschka sought solutions. She began by publishing a comparative review of pediatric diabetes frameworks in India, Kenya, and Brazil. The contrast with developed countries like the UK and Sweden was stark: while children there had legal protections and systemic support, those in low- and middle-income countries remained invisible in policy. This inequality fueled her determination. She reached out to the Public Health Foundation of India, designing a full-scale study to address gaps in diabetes care. What began as an idea became a challenging research project that would soon capture global attention.India’s First Youth-Led Policy-Shaping StudyHer study, Invisible Inequities in Type 1 Diabetes Care in India, broke new ground by uncovering critical gaps in the healthcare system. Conducted in Karnataka through 43 in-depth interviews with patients, caregivers, doctors, and policymakers, it revealed five major systemic failures: Frequent insulin stock-outs,Misdiagnosis and delayed detectionGender-based exclusion in access to careFamilies collapsing under financial stressThe overlooked mental health burdens faced by both patients and caregivers. More importantly, the study did not stop at highlighting problems; it went further to design a comprehensive policy blueprint that integrated Type 1 Diabetes into Karnataka’s Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) program. Today, this framework is being formally deliberated by the Government of Karnataka, making it the first instance in India where youth-led research has directly influenced state health policy.Evidence That Transforms SystemsFor Veruschka, this was not just an academic success—it was proof that youth-led research can be transformative. Her work demonstrates that evidence combined with empathy has the power to shift systems and create sustainable policy change. While her scientific research is groundbreaking, Veruschka also believes that statistics alone cannot move hearts. Her poetry collection, The Quiet Geometry of Chaos, reflects this philosophy. Through verse, she humanises numbers, reminding the world that every statistic is a story of real people and their struggles.A Voice Beyond BordersVeruschka’s impact is not limited to India. As a WHO Youth Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and a UN Youth Summit speaker, she represents the voice of young changemakers on global platforms. Her vision is to expand the diabetes policy framework across other Indian states and eventually make it scalable for other low- and middle-income countries facing similar challenges. Her research captures both the rigour of science and the heartbeat of humanity. This balance has enabled her to influence policymakers, inspire peers, and remind society that even the most complex health challenges can be tackled when approached with compassion and determination. Her story stands as proof of what the new generation can achieve. It is proof that age is no barrier to impact and that when empathy meets evidence, both lives and systems can be transformed.
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