Posted on: Tue 22-08-2023

The management of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Lagos, is offering free diabetes foot screening for persons living with diabetes mellitus.

Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, in a statement, said diabetes mellitus foot syndrome is a preventable condition, which daily claims limbs and lives of persons living with diabetes mellitus.

She said the free screening would be available every Tuesday during this month of August at the hospital’s premises in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

According to her, its prevalence increases where diabetes mellitus is poorly managed in addition to poor foot care habits and knowledge.

“Foot ulcers are dangerous in persons living with diabetes, as over 80 percent of diabetes foot amputations are preceded by foot ulcers. This is why a well-cared-for foot in a person living with diabetes is unlikely to be amputated,” she stated.

She, therefore, urged members of the public to participate in the foot-screening programme, as this could be an opportunity to know their diabetes status, considering the fact that half of persons living with diabetes are not aware they have it.

Isiavwe said the hospital was motivated by the challenges being faced by persons living with diabetes to access their daily diabetes medications and medical supplies, adding that many persons still pay out of pocket for their medications, and in recent times have found themselves in a difficult situation of having to choose between buying their medications or buying food for their families.

“Obviously, many people living with diabetes are no longer able to control their condition and this will further reduce the statistics to less than 20 per cent of Nigerians living with diabetes that are achieving good blood sugar control, even after diagnosis.

“Early detection through regular foot screening and education on good foot care habits thus remain the best available preventive measure,” she said.

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