The importance of the Podiatric Doctor in Subsaharan Africa cannot be overemphasized. Most of the amputations we have going on daily in Africa Could have been saved if we have the services of a specialist. Most times the Endocrinologist make do with residual knowledge in colaboration with Orthopaedic Surgeon and the likely event is amputation as a faster means of handling Diabetic foot ulcers. We need a revolution in the approach to managing diabetic ulcers. It is quite frightening when some persons living with diabetes comes down with foot problems, the are afraid of coming to the hospital because of fear of amputation instead the go for the services of Traditional medical practitioners who use herbs and due to poor hygenic conditions, it may become gangrenous and eventually the patient dies from toxemia or suffers amputation.
The Training of podiatric doctors in Africa is even non available and unrecognised and were available like in America or Europe, the cost is prohibitive. What is the hope of millions of people living with diabetes in Subsaharan Africa with Diabetic ulcers? Is it Amputation?