Saving Diabetic Feet in Developing Countries

In 2018 myself and three colleagues established the International Podiatric Medical Association (IPMA) and treated over 700 patients in 1 week in rural villages in third world countries and saved many diabetic feet which had infections, ulcers and a few with even more serious conditions. Being able to help so many people is the reason why I genuinely became a podiatrist, to be able to make a difference in peoples lives is ultimately the greatest satisfaction that podiatrists can have. I am passionate about podiatry and about helping people, the above video chronicles our week in pakistan and explains why we set up IPMA.

IPMA aims to do this via 3 distinct pathways

An increase in public awareness in third world countries. People with diabetes should be involved more in their own care, they should know how to look after their feet, what risk they have of developing a complication, and what care they should get from the health service.

Healthcare professionals should understand the risk of diabetic foot disease, IPMA will train existing healthcare professional in major cities and in villages to be able to provide annual foot care check ups in third world countries.

IPMA will organise foot health screening camps using qualified teams of podiatrists from the UK which will aim to reach remote areas of third world counties as well as the major cities. The teams of podiatrists will also treat any urgent cases and set up referral within one working day for those with ulcers to a multidisciplinary specialist foot care team and ensure people are seen by a member of the team