Awareness workshop on ‘Diabetes-related limb Amputations’ held

Chandigarh, November 5, 2023: To raise awareness on Diabetic Foot and Diabetes-related limb amputation, Vascular Society for Limb Salvage (VSLS) under Dr Ravul Jindal, Director, President VSLS, held a one-day event on “Diabetic Foot Awareness Programme’ at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, today.

Diabetes affects people of all ages and has become a major health concern today. To raise awareness on Diabetic Foot and its related complications, World Diabetes Day is observed on 14th November each year. The World Health Organisation’s theme of this year’s event is ‘Access to Diabetes Care.’

According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than one lakh cases of diabetes amputation were reported in the country last year. Shedding light on this, Dr Ravul Jindal, added, “Diabetes is a leading cause of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and PVD. The disease mainly affects people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years, uncontrolled sugar levels along with associated history of blood pressure and smoking.”

Discussing the warning signs of Diabetic Foot, Dr Jindal, added, “It causes changes to the skin or toenails, cuts, blisters, calluses or sores, discharge of fluid or pus, foul smell, pain, redness, skin discoloration, swelling etc.”

On ways to prevent Diabetes Foot, Dr Jindal, added, “Physical activity is important as it helps lose weight. Exercise helps lower the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60%. Ensure to keep a tab on blood sugar level, consuming a balanced diet including vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, not walking barefoot and wearing sandals which can expose feet to splinters, concrete, or sand, as it may scrape or irritate the foot.”

Mayor of Chandigarh Anup Gupta, senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon, Director Health Services of Chandigarh, Dr Suman Singh, IMA Panchkula President Dr Sunil Malhotra, IMA Chandigarh President Dr Gurvinder Singh, IMA Chandigarh Secretary Dr Vivek Malhotra, IMA Mohali President Dr Sanjeet Singh Sodhi, Markfed PR Officer HS Bains, Vice President of Chandigarh Rotary Sartaj Lamba, special DGP Punjab Sanjeev Kalra, Lions Club President of Mohali Amandeep, Director of Rayat Bahra GS Bahra, Harinder Pal Singh from Senior Citizen Association of Mohali and other dignitaries deliberated on ways to take care of feet to prevent amputations and to make India amputation free.