GOVERNMENT and the International Diabetes Federation will jointly launch diabetes foot care clinics across the country to expedite early detection of the disease to ensure the condition is attended to before getting complicated. STAFF REPORTER
Addressing journalists in Harare on Tuesday, Zimbabwe Diabetic Association president John Mangwiro said $20 000 had already been set aside for the launch of two pilot projects at Harare Central and Parirenyatwa referral hospitals next month.
“We would want to introduce the diabetes foot screening programme, screening which will result in early detection and appropriate management of the disease,” Mangwiro said. “It is cheaper to prevent and to avoid foot loss and the aim is to have this up to village level.”
The programme is aimed at raising awareness and providing screening and early detection services.
Health and Child Care deputy minister Paul Chimedza hailed the plans, saying diabetes complications were on the increase with 10% of the population said to be diabetic. “We can make life much more bearable for the diabetics by detecting the disease early,” Chimedza said.
“It is something which is very serious, but managed when detected early. We are equally excited at this project and we register our support.”
The preventative foot care centres would replicate a successful diabetic foot care project originally developed in Alexandria, Egypt, by the IDF Bridges Research Net.
Principal investigator of the pioneer project in Egypt, Samir Khalil, said the country’s diabetic patients had immensely benefited due to early detection, adding that the number of diabetes-induced amputations had significantly decreased.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“After successful results in Egypt, we are excited to share our foot care project with the rest of the world,” Khalil said.
“In less than two years in Egypt, we managed to educate more than 2 700 professionals nationwide. Almost all universities now have a module on diabetes foot care included in their graduate and post-graduate curriculum.”
