Supporting structured diabetes self-management
A digital platform developed through the Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, bringing together tools for glucose monitoring, nutrition, medication adherence, physical activity, education and long-term self-management.
PGIMER, Chandigarh
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
Community Medicine
& School of Public Health
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Structured Self-Management
In Collaboration With
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
One platform for everyday diabetes self-management
Diabetes self-management involves several interconnected daily activities. Sugar Sangini brings these areas together in one platform.
1. Blood Glucose & HbA1c
Structured logging for routine fingerprick readings paired with long-term laboratory test history.
2. Nutrition Planning
Portion guidance and meal distribution based on body profile and validated physical activity levels.
3. Medication Adherence
Clear scheduling for prescriptions, daily taken logs, and secure storage of doctor prescriptions.
4. Physical Activity
Safe, low-impact restorative movement including Chair Yoga, seated stretching, and guided breathing.
5. Diabetes Education
Evidence-based lessons in straightforward language with native read-aloud voice support.
6. Timely Reminders
Calibrated alerts for medication times, testing routines, meals, and configured daily activities.
7. Consultation Reports
Clean single-summary view bringing together recorded self-care data for review during clinic visits.
8. Doctor & Caregiver Access
Secure 5-step patient authorization granting read-only access or family care assistance.
Why Sugar Sangini
Diabetes self-management involves multiple daily activities rather than glucose monitoring alone. Sugar Sangini brings these areas together into one structured platform, helping patients organize everyday routines while maintaining direct control over their health data.
Blood Glucose & Longitudinal HbA1c
Structured Blood Glucose Logging
Users record fingerprick self-monitoring readings tagged by occasion: fasting, pre-meal, 2-hour post-meal, or random. This contextual tagging helps patients understand how daily meals and activities influence glycemic levels.
Developed with clinical input from experienced doctors to bring attention to readings that may require follow-up. When readings fall outside standard target corridors, users are directed to seek appropriate medical or emergency care when necessary. No autonomous diagnostic claims or emergency medication protocols are generated.
Longer-Term HbA1c Tracking
While daily glucose records capture immediate patterns, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) represents longer-term control over approximately three months. Sugar Sangini enables patients to log laboratory-verified HbA1c test results with appropriate educational context.
Testing reminders can adapt according to relevant patient parameters, helping individuals remember scheduled laboratory evaluations recommended by their treating physician.
Nutrition Planning & Activity Assessment
Nutrition options within Sugar Sangini are designed using body mass index (BMI), gender, and physical activity level. The nutrition functionality was developed in collaboration with a trusted, qualified nutrition professional to reflect practical everyday dietary realities.
Official IPAQ Integration
Activity level is assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), an established physical activity assessment tool. Based on verified physical exertion classifications, estimated caloric requirements are appropriately calibrated.
scheduleSix Daily Meal Occasions
Rather than irregular heavy meals, intake is structured across six daily occasions: Pre-breakfast, Breakfast, Morning snack, Lunch, Evening snack, and Dinner, supporting even portion distribution.
document_scannerFood Logging & In-Device Scanning
Patients record daily food intake through structured meal options, clear portion guidance, and optional in-device machine learning assisted food scanning to identify common food items and confirm portion counts.
Medication Scheduling & Prescription Records
Medication Schedule
Patients configure doctor-prescribed oral medications or insulin regimens with specific daily timing corridors aligned with meal schedules.
Adherence Tracking & History
A simple, focused interface allows users to confirm taken doses. Monthly adherence logs provide an accurate factual record for clinical review, free of gamification or artificial rewards.
Prescription Image Storage
Secure in-device storage of official paper prescription photographs, ensuring dosages, signatures, and dates remain readily accessible during follow-up visits.
Safe Restorative Physical Activity
High-impact strenuous exertion is not appropriate for all patients, particularly those managing complications such as peripheral neuropathy. Sugar Sangini emphasizes gentle, restorative routines designed for safe home practice:
Yoga & Gentle Asanas
Calm, non-strenuous postures to support joint mobility, flexibility, and peripheral circulation.
Chair Yoga
Seated exercises providing the benefits of stretching and movement while eliminating fall hazards.
Guided Meditation
Structured diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation techniques for everyday stress moderation.
Evidence-Based Diabetes Education
Effective self-management depends on clear health literacy. Sugar Sangini provides evidence-based educational content prepared in simple, accessible language addressing core topics:
Every educational article includes built-in audio read-aloud functionality, ensuring patients with varying reading proficiencies can listen to self-care guidance in their preferred language.
Timely Reminders & Notifications
alarmRoutine Care Notifications
Quiet, punctual alerts remind users of scheduled medication doses, fingerprick glucose tests, planned meal occasions, and physical activity routines according to their personal schedule.
tuneAdaptive Testing Reminders
Testing reminders can adapt based on HbA1c history and clinical parameters, encouraging timely 3-month or 6-month laboratory checkups recommended by healthcare professionals.
AI Sangini: Conversational Educational Assistant
Between clinic visits, patients frequently have questions regarding healthy food choices, physical activity guidelines, or general lifestyle habits. AI Sangini provides an interactive conversational channel allowing users to explore everyday questions about diabetes in simple language.
AI Sangini is educational, not a doctor. It provides informational support and does not replace professional medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or individualized prescription therapy.
"नमस्ते! मैं संगिनी हूँ।"
Ask questions about diabetes, diet, and lifestyle self-management.
Multilingual Accessibility
Designed for a wider range of users: Sugar Sangini supports English, Hindi and Punjabi across its user experience, helping make diabetes self-management information and tools more accessible to people with different language preferences.
Patient-Controlled Doctor & Caregiver Access
Patient privacy and choice remain absolute. Sugar Sangini uses a standardized authorization sequence where doctors receive read-only access to permitted records, family caregivers receive permitted logging assistance, and the patient retains complete control at all times.
Patient Shares Code
Patient shares a unique reference linking code directly or via communication channel.
Request Sent
Doctor or Caregiver enters the reference code on their home screen to request access.
Patient Decides
Patient receives the request notification and explicitly chooses to Approve or Deny.
Access Granted
Only after explicit approval, patient records become visible in the clinician portal.
Revoke Anytime
Patient can terminate access instantly at any time for any individual doctor or caregiver.
Consolidated Consultation Reports
To assist clinical visits, Sugar Sangini provides a consolidated consultation report that brings together recorded blood glucose readings, medication adherence logs, and lifestyle records. Patients can present this single factual summary to their doctor during routine hospital consultations, avoiding reliance on memory.
Future Directions / Areas Under Exploration
Academic teams at PGIMER Chandigarh are conducting exploratory research into non-invasive sensing technologies as a future research area. This constitutes scientific investigation under controlled laboratory conditions to understand feasibility. No non-invasive hardware is currently integrated or deployed in the Sugar Sangini application.
Project Leadership & Team
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health
Dr. Madhu Gupta
Principal Investigator
Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh
Aprajita Mehta
Project Research Scientist III
Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh
SonalPreet Kaur
Project Technical Support — Nutritionist
Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh
Aarush Kaura
Project Technical Support III
Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh
Developed in collaboration with Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
Collaborative research initiative evaluating digital tools for community diabetes self-care.
Governance, Data Protection & Medical Disclaimer
Medical Disclaimer
Sugar Sangini is intended for self-management and educational support. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Users should consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions and seek emergency care when required.
Privacy & Data Governance
As an academic project originating within PGIMER Chandigarh, Sugar Sangini strictly protects user health information in alignment with ethical research standards and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). User health data is never sold, monetized, or shared with third-party commercial entities.
Terms of Service & Support
Use of the Sugar Sangini platform is intended exclusively for personal self-management assistance and academic evaluation. Support queries regarding data privacy, account management, or academic inquiries are handled directly through the project office at PGIMER Chandigarh.
Department Office & Support Channels
location_onDepartment Office
Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health
PGIMER, Sector 12
Chandigarh, 160012, India
mailProject Communications
Academic Project Coordinator
sugarsangani@gmail.com
securityPrivacy & Data Safety
Institutional Ethics & Compliance
sugarsangani@gmail.com