‘Save The Foot’ Initiative Launched To Reduce Diabetic Foot Amputations

EHM News Bureau - Mumbai

To educate patients about the care of diabetic feet and prevention of amputations, Dr Reddy’s laboratories launched the ‘Save The Foot’ initiative in Mumbai recently. In the next 10 years, India is going to be the diabetes capital of the world and foot ulcers is one of the most dreaded complications of diabetes, leading to foot amputations and great economic loss to the community and society.

According to Dr Arun Bal, President, Diabetic Foot Society of India (DBSI), “It is estimated that majority of diabetics in India will be in the age group of 35-45 years. The key to prevention of amputations is patient education, so that society is able to tackle foot disease when diabetes reaches endemic proportions.” Initiatives like ‘Save The Foot’ can contribute immensely in the prevention of amputations, and in reducing the healthcare burden on our country through patient education, added Dr Bal.

To support this campaign, Dr Reddy’s will be organising more than 1000 foot care camps across the country in the next six months, creating workshops for doctor awareness, launch patient information websites www.savethefoot.com, www.Plermin.com, launch a Plermin Toll-Free number 1600-22-3242 & 09867298442 for patient assistance on foot care, as well as identify and offer free plermin treatment support for needy patients, to name a few.

The guidelines call for identification of people at risk of diabetic foot complications, regular foot examinations, improved education in self-care for people with diabetes, and appropriate footwear. IDF, WHO and IWGDF are alerting policy makers and healthcare providers that now is the time to act in order to reduce huge burden of diabetes.