COMMUNIQUE FROM ORGANISERS AND PARTICIPANTS AT THE 1ST PODIATRY AND DIABETES FOOT CARE WORKSHOP HELD IN LAGOS FROM MARCH 17TH TO MARCH 21ST, 2014.

ADDRESSED  TO: 

•  THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF HEALTH, 

•  THE MEDICAL REHABILITATION THERAPY BOARD 

•  THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONERS OF HEALTH 

•  THE PROVOST OF STATE GOVERNMENT COLLEGES OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY 

•  THE CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTORS AND BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTIONS 

•  THE DIABETES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA 

•  THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ' 

•  RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL BODIES eg. SOCIETY OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND 

•  METABOLISM OF NIGERIA, NIGERIAN ORTHOPEDIC ASSOCIATION etc 

INTRODUCTION/PREAMBLE: A workshop and training programme entitled '1st PODIATRY AND DIABETES FOOT CARE WORKSHOP', with the theme "PREVENTING DIABETES FOOT ULCERS AND AMPUTATION" was held recently from Monday 17th March to Friday 21st March 2014 at the Peninsula Hotel, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki, Lagos. 

It was a first of its kind and an innovative programme/project in the field of diabetes education, research, therapeutics and service updates. The conference was organized by the RAINBOW SPECIALIST MEDICAL CENTRE in partnership with the TRAINING FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE PODIATRY INSTITUTE, DECATUR, GEORGIA, USA. It addressed the podiatry service needs in Nigeria and in particular the problem of diabetes foot disease and diabetes related amputations in Nigerian patients. It was a programme of lectures, small group discussions and hands on training in skills acquisition. Participants included members of different cadres of the health care team comprising nurses, diabetes educators, orthotics, physicians, diabetologists, pnarmaosts, pediatrklans, endocrinologists, orthopedic surgeons, residents in the fields of pediatrics, orthopedics, endocrinology, and general surgery, plaster technicians, persons living with diabetes and other foot problems and Members of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria. Participants attended from the different geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Notably present at the conference were the Permanent Secretary of Health for Lagos State, Dr. Ahmid Balogun, The Special Adviser on Public Health to the Lagos State Governor  Dr. (Mrs.) Yewande Adeshina; Represented by Dr. Moyo Kasim, Provost, Lagos State College of Health technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Rukevwe Ugwumba, Special Adviser Health Monitoring to the Governor of Delta State, and Chairman of the Lagos State Branch of Diabetes Association of Nigeria - Alhaji Afinowi, 

OBSERVATIONS: The participants noted the rising incidence of diabetes mellitus among Nigerians and observed increases in the prevalence of diabetes complications especially diabetic foot disease. This has led to increase in occurrence of foot amputation and a high mortality among persons with the disease. 

The burden of the diabetic foot ulcer was easily assessed from the lengthy stay of patients in hospital, loss of productivity and income to the affected individual and his/ her family and the emotional, psychological and financial implications in the care of the disease. Participants were treated to an exciting and educational programme that readily led to increase in knowledge base and inspired confidence in the treatment of Diabetic foot and its complications. Participants felt empowered and committed to develop and improve good foot care practices for Nigerians and to create an awareness about the current poor state 'of foot care for Nigerians living with diabetes. 

RECOMMENDATIONS: At the end of the workshop, participants resolved to communicate their views and wishes to relevant policy makers, agencies and other stakeholders. These include;

a. There is urgent need for awareness creation among stakeholders in the area of Podiatry Medicine especially as it relates to foot care in persons living with diabetes mellitus. 

b. There is urgent need for developing teams trained for podiatry care within the country's health care system. 

c. It is highly desirable and indeed a must that such teams be empowered with continuous experience, preventive strategies (as a priority) and be equipped with the right tools infrastructure and environment for implementation. 

d. The Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre is a most suitable base for citing the proposed PODIATRY AND DIABETES FOOT CARE INITIATIVE.

e. The Podiatry institute, Decatur,Georgia USA will provide ongoing training and consultation in support of the Nigeria Diabetes and Foot Care Initiative

Signed

Dr. (Mrs) Afokoghene R. Isiavwe

Podiatry initiative (PI) Nigeria (Nigerian Coordintor)

R ajn A .Ravenll, DPM

P I Nigeria (USA Coordinatort)