Abstract
People with diabetes mellitus require long-term care that is timely, patient-centered, community-based and sustainable. Any deficiency in care increases the risk of developing complications like Diabetic Retinopathy. Patients or their carers also have numerous questions and doubts during this long-period of care. This increases the pressure on health systems that are struggling with a lack of skilled human resources. One option is to provide counseling support using a dedicated helpline. Over the last five years a major initiative to tackle visual impairment due to diabetes was rolled out in India by the Public Health Foundation of India supported by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, UK. One component of the initiative was establishing a toll-free helpline (1800 121 2096) to address the lack of awareness and to empower people with diabetes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states in India. Over a 1-year period, the helpline received 4406 calls, making a case for a national service for people with diabetes.