Bangalore: Every 30 seconds, a person loses a limb to amputation following diabetes complications, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). To address the widespread problem, the Diabetic Foot Care Division of the Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences (JIVAS), a unit of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, will launch a project to impart training to healthcare workers in diabetic foot care all over the country and set up diabetic foot care centres in the State. The project, which is being supported by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), will be launched on June 1. Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, JIVAS Director Kalkunte Suresh said that under "Project Padasamrakshane", 44 healthcare workers would be trained in two years. Ten diabetic foot care centres would be set up in the State in semi-urban and rural areas. Funds would come from the WDF, which was contributing $ 235,000 for the project, he said.

A highlight of the project is a "mobile foot clinic", which will go to areas in and around Bangalore and screen people for diabetes and related ailments. The clinic will be equipped with a podiatry chair fitted with sensitometer, a vascular lab to check blood supply to the leg, foot scanner and other state-of-the art equipment. A cobbler to create special footwear will be part of the clinic.

According to WDF Managing Director Anil Kapur, 40 per cent of hospital admissions are for amputations as a result of diabetic foot problems, 80 per cent of which can be prevented by taking simple precautions. He pointed out that as it was a common practice in the country to walk barefoot, persons with diabetes might hurt their legs, and injuries might lead to infections and gangrene, and limbs would have to be amputated.

Dr. Kapur said the WDF was funding 17 projects in the country, of which three were in Bangalore. Most of the projects were aimed at creating awareness about diabetes and prevention, he added.

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