Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital has commissioned a full-fledged surgical diabetic foot clinic in the Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Diabetes. The clinic will be run by the Department of Vascular Surgery.
According to R. Madhavan, head of the department, the clinic receives around six persons with foot ulcers. “Of all the complications, diabetic foot syndrome may result in loss of lower limbs and is the most devastating since it involves both social and economic implications,” he said.
Until now, patients had to be referred for surgical management of the wounds. But now, a vascular surgeon will oversee the treatment protocol and plastic surgeons will also pitch in with support, he said.
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In line with the World Diabetes Day, Dean P. Ramakrishnan flagged off a diabetes awareness van from the hospital premises. Besides conducting programmes, the van will travel through the city and screen the public for diabetes, hospital authorities said.
On Thursday, a number of events including talks, eye screening camp and a walk were held to mark the World Diabetes Day. To address eye disorders caused by diabetes, Sankara Nethralaya organised free eye screening for the public covering visual assessment, eye pressure check, retinal imaging and counselling on diabetic retinopathy. A total of 68 patients were screened. A talk on awareness on diabetic retinopathy was also held.
Vasan Eye Care is offering free eye screening for diabetics and free blood sugar test for its existing patients, who are diabetic, till November 30 at all its Chennai centres.
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In an attempt to create a world record, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation along with Diabetic Foot Society of India organised foot screening programmes at 28 locations across the country. A total of 1,660 diabetics were screened for foot care on a single day. Cities including Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Cochin and Varanasi were part of the event, a press release said.
M.V. Hospital for Diabetes has launched an initiative called Halt Diabetes Campaign in which anybody without diabetes could take a glucose test for Rs. 100 at one of its three branches in Chennai – Royapuram, Mylapore and Perungudi.