International Podiatric Medical Association (IPMA) is a charitable organisation which has been established by four UK podiatrists with a commitment to reducing foot amputations due to diabetic foot complications in Pakistan.
Worldwide, diabetes related complications result in the amputation of a lower limb every 30 seconds. In Pakistan about 150,000 legs are amputated as a consequence of diabetes annually in the country, which is home to about 7.1 million diabetes, research suggests that cases of amputation of lower limbs are linked to high mortality as renal and cardiovascular functions are also compromised in diabetic.
Since the majority of the amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are reported to follow foot ulcers, an understanding of pathways and risk factors is essential to improve quality of life, reduce the frequency of ulceration, and ultimately, avoid the amputation of lower extremities.
An increase in public awareness in Pakistan and other Countries. People with diabetes should be involved more in their own care – they should know how to look after their feet, what risk they have of developing a complication, and what care they should get from the health service.
Healthcare professionals should understand the risk of diabetic foot disease, IPMA will train existing healthcare professional in major cities and in villages to be able to provide annual foot care checks and have access to a integrated foot care pathway which should be delivered across primary, community and acute health services in Pakistan and other countries.
IPMA will organise foot health screening camps using qualified teams of podiatrists from the UK which will aim to reach remote areas of Pakistan and other Countries. The teams of podiatrists will also treat any urgent cases and set up referral within one working day for those with ulcers to a multidisciplinary specialist foot care team and ensure people are seen by a member of the team”