Diabetic foot care

Foot problems are among the most serious consequences of diabetes. The diabetic foot can lead to amputations of lower limbs and is associated with huge social and economic costs for the individual.

Due to social and religious traditions, it is common to walk around barefoot in India, both outside and inside the house. Unfortunately, this is one of the main reasons for foot problems among people with diabetes. In addition to this, foot infections are often not presented to the health care providers, until the infection has become severe, and the risk for a lower limb amputation is increased.

By convincing people with diabetes to wear proper footwear and by treating foot ulcerations at an early stage, it is possible to reduce the incidence of major amputations. The diabetic foot care clinic at Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences in Bangalore has great experience in training health care workers, and in counselling and treating people with diabetic foot problems. 

Objective

The aim of the project is to improve diabetic foot care by training health personnel and establishing 10 foot care centres and a mobile foot clinic.

Approach

A one-month course will be offered to paramedical workers. The course, which involves both academic education and hands-on experience, will be provided to two selected health care workers each month at the diabetic foot care clinic of Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences. 

Subsequent to the course, the trained health care workers will return to their respective health unit and continue the provision of diabetic foot care.

The project will assist the trained health care workers in establishing and running foot care centres. A total of 10 foot care centres will be established across the state of Karnataka.

A mobile foot care clinic will provide diabetic foot care and education to people with diabetes in remote areas within a radius of 150 kilometres from Bangalore. The mobile clinic is expected to visit 20 outreach areas per month, and visiting about 30 people with diabetes per visit.

Expected impact

•  44 health care workers trained
• 10 diabetic foot care centres established
• 400 remote areas visited by a mobile foot clinic
• Foot care, education and counselling provided to 12,000 people with diabetes through outreach activities

Results to date

• 40 health care professionals from all over India have been trained and supplied with footcare kits and flipcharts for education
• An annual refresher course has been held, attended by 26 trainees and 8 doctors; representing all 10 clinics in Karnataka
• One podiatry workshop has been held and transmitted for 50 surgeons from all over India
• 10 foot care clinics have been set up and have been functioning since June 2007, caring for 14,110 patients. Three of the clinics have started their own outreach activities and satellite clinics
• Mobile unit conducts 19 visits in surrounding areas each month, 295 visits have been conducted so far
• 22 camps have been held
• A total of 12,442 patients have been evaluated; 9,558 during visits, and additional 2,884 during camps

Project data

Area Partner Project responsible Duration Project budget WDF contribution Project number

Karnataka, India Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences Dr.  A.S.Vinaya June 2006 - May 2009  USD 319,755 USD 234,050  WDF05-142

This page was last updated 6-24-2008 by sfh.wdf