Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, a Lagos-based doctor and endocrinologist has cautioned of the risks of foot ulcers in people living with diabetes mellitus.

The physician also advocated for routine screening for these and related complications in people with diabetes.

The Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lagos, warned that foot ulcers are dangerous in people with diabetes, adding that poorly managed diabetes-related complications could lead to limb amputation or even death.

Isiavwe in a statement said free screenings for diabetes foot ulcers are offered every Tuesday in August at the hospital’s facilities in Lekki Phase 1.

The statement read partly: “Foot ulcers are dangerous in people living with diabetes, as over 80 percent of diabetic 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.

“Primary prevention from regular foot screening by knowledgeable health care workers leads to early detection of the ‘high-risk’ diabetes foot. This appropriate intervention at an early stage can prevent its progression to a foot ulcer.

“In a resource-poor setting like ours, with many individuals living with diabetes still unable to access basic medications and specialist services, primary prevention of foot ulcers can never be overemphasised.

“This is why we are inviting people living with diabetes to take advantage of this free diabetes foot screening and education programme and come for free diabetes foot screening. 

Members of the public are also encouraged to participate in the foot screening programme as this could be an opportunity to know their diabetes status. This is important, considering the fact that half of people living with diabetes are not aware they have it.” 

On reason for the free screening exercise, the medic revealed  the hospital was motivated by the challenges being faced today by people living with diabetes to access their daily diabetes medications and medical supplies.

Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe said: “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 percent of Nigerians living with diabetes that are achieving good blood sugar control, even after diagnosis.

With poor blood sugar control comes diabetes complications like diabetic foot ulcerations and amputations, in addition to multi-system complications, not sparing any organ, from kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, heart disease, and stroke, among others.

“To say the least, these complications are better prevented, as the cost of managing them is quite enormous and unaffordable to most Nigerians.

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