Latest update March 29th, 2025 5:38 AM
The fight to reduce diabetic foot diseases
Reginald Yearwood, 63, who has been a victim of diabetes for twelve years, has had his leg amputated. He said that he had not been complying with his treatment and so lost the limb.
When a reporter met him at the foot care clinic at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre recently, he was treating the other leg, which is at risk of also being amputated.
Though the foot care service offered at this facility is open to the public for only one time a year, the diabetic foot care clinic came into its own four years ago. It has been acknowledged as one of the most important novelties in responding to diabetic problems, particularly foot problems.
Rehabilitation Assistant and Coordinator, Damon Sandy, told Kaieteur News that the main reasons for the clinic are: the increasing number of patients with diabetic foot disease who failed to execute proper health care; to screen persons to identify diabetes; to initiate appropriate treatment early; diabetic foot care, and regular follow-ups offered on referral at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Sandy said that the administration of the institution reassessed the problem and approached diabetic foot care in a more purposeful way – addressing issues such as how to initiate early treatment for patients and also reducing the frequency of diabetic foot disease.
People with diabetes must be educated on how to prevent foot problems before they occur, to recognize problems early, and to seek the right treatment.
The coordinator noted that although the treatment for diabetic foot problems has improved, good control of the blood sugar level is the best way to prevent complications.
Sandy said that people with diabetes should learn how to examine their own feet and how to recognize early signs and symptoms of diabetic foot problems. They should also know when a problem has become serious enough to seek emergency treatment.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Type 1 diabetes is usually prevalent in children while adults are largely diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
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