With diabetic amputation rates on the rise in Barbados, a leading specialist on Thursday urged authorities to adopt data-driven, preventive strategies to curb the soaring human and financial costs.
Podiatrist Dr Simone McConnie made the call for “evidence-based diabetic foot care on World Diabetes Day” at a breakfast panel discussion, revealing that preventable amputations continue to undermine patients’ survival rates and strain the nation’s healthcare resources.
“Your foot health is directly tied to your overall health,” she told the forum that was organised by the Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, adding that many amputations among diabetic patients were preventable.
Dr McConnie also pointed out the stark survival outcomes for patients who lose limbs.
“Studies show that amputees often experience reduced survival rates compared to individuals with coronary heart disease or even certain cancers,” she explained. “This is all data. This is all evidence. This is nothing that we’re making up.”
Her comments underscored the importance of a strategy rooted in data, prevention, and public education to improve patient outcomes.
The podiatrist also highlighted the immense costs that diabetic foot complications place on healthcare systems worldwide. In Barbados, these costs are especially burdensome given the limited resources to support the growing diabetic population. Drawing a comparison with the UK, she noted that even wealthier countries face financial strain from diabetes care.
“In the UK, one per cent of their NHS [National Health Service] budget is for diabetic foot-related complications,” Dr McConnie pointed out, stressing that for Barbados and similar nations, such financial pressures are unsustainable.
“Prevention is going to be significantly important…. There’s escalating costs; there are costs that we cannot [afford],” she said, emphasising the financial constraints Barbados faces and the need for cost-effective preventive care. She noted the reality faced by many healthcare systems in the Caribbean: without robust preventive measures, the economic burden of diabetic complications will continue to escalate.
To address the rising costs and human toll of diabetic foot complications, Dr McConnie advocates for proactive education and awareness. She called for educational initiatives to empower individuals to manage their health, noting that simple practices like daily foot checks and wearing proper footwear can drastically reduce risks for diabetics.
The path forward, according to McConnie, lies in prevention. She expressed hope for a shift in Barbados’ approach to diabetes, from reactive to proactive, suggesting that a culture of prevention and early intervention could help reduce the financial and human tolls of diabetes. “These are costs we simply cannot afford,” she said, urging Barbadians to prioritise preventive care and health monitoring. (RG)
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