Chennai: “India is the diabetes capital of the world. In a country where feet and footwear are revered, a lot needs to be done with regards to foot care in the diabetic population. Diabetic foot problems are a huge burden to the patients themselves and the nation at large. Identification of at-risk foot and early intervention can go a long way in preventing foot ulcers and amputations,” said Rotary Club of Anna Nagar Madras president Vrinda.

She said this during the launch of her club’s project, Fit Feet, in association with Madhav Diabetes Centre, Anna Nagar, on the lines of World Diabetes Day recently. As a part of the project, a four-day camp was organised at various parks in and around Anna Nagar with inauguration by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Anna Nagar Range) V Gunasekaran at Bougainvillea Park, K-Block, 6th Avenue.

“The at-risk foot is identified by biothesiometry test that checks for sensation in the feet, doppler which tests blood supply to the feet and the foot is examined by a surgical team. Blood sugar testing and three-month average (HbA1c) will be done free of cost,” she added.

A press note said over the last three days, about 450 people have been screened, 183 of them had diabetes. Diabetes control was poor in more than 50 per cent of patients screened, a third of them had some degree of loss of protective sensation in the feet and almost 70 per cent of the patients had wrong footwear.

Adequate counseling was given to them regarding diabetes control, nutrition and foot care. The camp was overseen by Rotary District 3232 associate chairman (community services health and diabetic care) Dr Deepak from Madhav Diabetes Centre.