The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : New facility for diabetes patients

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 16, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

New facility for diabetes patients

Staff Reporter

Walking barefoot and inappropriate footwear often contributes to injuries that could lead to infection in the foot and result in amputations, according to Osmania Medical College Doctors Forum

HYDERABAD: The Osmania Medical College Doctors Forum is planning to set up a facility to provide appropriate and low cost footwear for diabetics in association with Leather Industries Corporation of Andhra Pradesh.

"We are looking at providing footwear from Rs.100 to Rs.200 which can be affordable for all and also upgrade the skills of the cobblers to be involved for the job. There is an urgent need to bring about improvements in foot care for people with diabetes," said K. Suresh, president of the forum. Walking barefoot and inappropriate footwear often contributes to injuries that could lead to infection in the foot and result in amputations. But the late referral to hospitals also plays a major role in amputation rate. He pointed out that the blood circulation gets reduced to the foot and it loses its sensation for diabetics.

Complications

Thus, injuries even if small and if not noticed properly could result in ulcers and gangrene. "Foot problems and amputations are some of the most severe complications of diabetes. Amputations are also life threatening and may cause much misery," Dr. Suresh pointed out. Eighty-five per cent of the amputations could be prevented with early detection and early intervention.

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Andhra Pradesh