A joint project of Baqai Institute of Diabetology & Endocrinology and World Diabetes Foundation

The burden of diabetes: Pakistan is one of the countries having a very high prevalence of diabetes. According to the most recent statistics , Pakistan has currently more than 6.34 million people with diabetes. The number is feared to escalate rapidly in the coming years. It is estimated that 11.4 million Pakistanis will have diabetes by the year 2030.The country currently ranks 8th according to the number of diabetics and may move up to 4th position, by the year 2025. This is an alarming situation.

The diabetic foot: In Pakistan, 6-7 % of the diabetics suffer from foot problems, many of which lead to leg amputation. 45-89% of all leg amputations are preventable through an organised foot However, no integrated diabetic foot care strategy existed in Pakistan.

It was a joint project of Baqai Institute of Diabetology & Endocrinology (Baqai Medical University) and World Diabetes Foundation. The Project was started on 1st November 2007 and was completed in February 2011.

This project has been launched to

• Create awareness regarding diabetes & diabetic foot
• To initiate the prevention of diabetes
• To improve the diabetes care and the diabetic foot care in Pakistan

One year Diploma in Diabetology - 78 doctors trained in three batches

Diploma in Diabetes Education - 83 Educators qualified in three rugular batches and one additionally introduced batch.

Foot Care Assistant Course - 101 Foot Care Assistants from across the country, trained

Basic & Advanced courses for Foot Care Teams (Step By Step Training) - 178 Foot Care Teams from across the country trained

Three Day CMEs on Diabetes - 646 doctors participated in 18 CMEs

Diabetic Foot Learning Programs - 408 doctors trained in 6 learning programs

Public Awareness Programmes - 5715 people educated on diabetes in 16 Programmes

School Awareness Programmes - 6017 children educated on healthy living in 12 Programmes

Diabetes Screening Camps - 3031 people screened for diabetes in 15 Camps.

Diabetic Foot Care Clinics Network - 115 Foot Care Clinics established across the country, which included 12 intermediate clinics and 103 minimal model clinics. The trained diabetic foot care teams at this network of foot clinics were able to decrease the amputation rate from11.51% to 6.64% during the project period.