CHENNAI: If you’re one among the numerous diabetics with high-risk feet, who have an aversion to visit the doctor despite the threat of losing a foot or digit due to neuropathy, take heart: the check-up will come to your home and it’s just a phone call away. “Most people who fall in the high risk feet category of diabetics have an aversion to come in for checkups,” explains Dr Vijay Viswanathan. “As a result, their risk of having an amputation increases significantly,” he adds.Dr Vijay, Managing Director of MV Hospital for Diabetes and Research Centre, has been trying to establish a system to reach the most critical cases among the masses for a while now. “We had set up a website with an e-registration service for people to request check-ups but sadly, there was hardly any response,” he laments. This was when he hit upon the idea of launching a podiatric care helpline, “Whenever people feel they are at risk or sense that they might need help, they can call our helpline and our team will go to their households to help,” he says.Once a patient requests help and gives their address, a three member team, comprising a paramedic, a nurse and a social-worker, will visit them and conduct basic doppler tests and assess the situation. “If the case is serious, they will be asked to visit the MV Hospital at Royapuram or Mylapore immediately,” says Dr Vijay. The important scope of the initiative is that not only will the team make an assessment; they will also conduct periodic checks over the next four months, and maintain correspondence and updates through inland letters.“We are hopeful that this will reach the target risk group and save them from having an amputation,” says Dr Vijay, as he launched the Chennai Amputation Prevention Drive (CAPS), under which this initiative is being carried out. Also on the cards is a mobile Community Podriatic Van that will go on the “offensive” to curb amputation. The van that is equipped with a podiatric chair and will have a trained physician will go to outlying areas in the city to conduct awareness and screening camps. This is an initiative that will start shortly, he informs.“The sad part is that most amputations can be prevented with some care and proper medical attention. If that is done, a whole lot of limbs and digits can be saved,” says Dr Vijay explaining the motive behind the venture.A hotline is also available for diabetic guidance and help, but is primarily targeted at the 15-20 per cent people who are placed in the high risk category as well as diabetics who have already undergone amputations. Help is available at 9840198880.
Comments
0 comment