KARACHI: Over half million diabetics in Pakistan could lose their legs amid growing cases of amputation among its patients due to ulcers and other complications, experts warned on Wednesday calling for immediate intervention from the health authorities for better treatment facilities and extra care of the patients.

They believe that with 33 million people living with diabetes now in Pakistan, diabetic amputations are on the rise and if appropriate measures are not taken immediately 300,000 to 600,000 people may lose their legs because of diabetic foot ulcers in 2022 in Pakistan.

“Amputation rate among people living with diabetes is between 20 to 40 per cent in our part of the world,” said Diabetic Foot International president Dr Zahid Miyan while speaking at a ceremony regarding the establishment of 30 diabetic-foot clinics throughout Karachi.

The facilities are aimed at providing an evidence-based standard of diabetic-foot care to people living with diabetes within or close to their houses and the application of a fast-track tool for early recognition, management and a referral system.

On the occasion, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) and local pharmaceutical firm High-Q Pharma for the establishment of 30 diabetic-foot clinics in Karachi. General practitioners and family physicians would be trained there in the identification of diabetic-foot ulcers, their treatment and referral to a tertiary-care facility in case the wound requires surgery or vascular treatment.

BIDE Director and renowned diabetologist Prof Dr Abdul Basit said Pakistan could save billions of rupees by providing standardised diabetic-foot care in the country.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2021