Africa-Press – Mauritius. In a ceremony held, today, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in Port Louis, some 17 diabetes specialist nurses were awarded their certificate, following a one-week theoretical and practical training in ‘Initiation in podiatry care’.
The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal; the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in Mauritius, Dr Indrajit Hazarika; and other personalities were present at the ceremony.
The training was carried out in collaboration with the WHO, which provided the services of its International Consultant, Professor Maïmouna Ndour Mbaye, Head of the Internal Medicine Unit at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar and Director of the Senegal’s Diabetes Centre.
In his address, Dr Jagutpal recalled that Mauritius has a high prevalence of diabetes, and that diabetic patients are at higher risks of developing conditions like neuropathy and foot ulcers. He underlined that when these health issues are left unattended, they can lead to amputations.
The health, social and professional burdens brought about by amputations were highlighted by the Minister, who thus stressed the imperative to constantly monitor foot care among diabetic patients.
He indicated that the Ministry presently operates eight diabetes foot care clinics in Mauritius and one in Rodrigues, which aim at reducing the rate of amputation among patients.
According to Dr Jagutpal, the Ministry remains committed to enhance the standard of care provided to diabetic patients, and will therefore pursue efforts in terms of sensitisation and prevention as well as empowering of staff for better service delivery and efficiency.
The Minister also informed that the WHO International Consultant, Professor Maïmouna Ndour Mbaye, carried out an evaluation of foot care services in Mauritius during her two-week mission.
“Her insights and views would be capital in our endeavour to redefine and enhance the foot care services,” said Dr Jagutpal.
As for the WHO Representative in Mauritius, he noted with concern that around 500 amputations are carried out annually in Mauritius. However, he indicated that these diabetic foot amputations could be avoided through early screening and proper foot care.
Dr Indrajit Hazarika congratulated the awardees for their motivation to acquire new skills so as to provide the required care to patients, and urged them to share their knowledge with their peers. He also reiterated the WHO’s support to Mauritius in the efforts to improve the quality of life of the population.
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