PAHO & SVG MOH host diabetic/podiatry workshops

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), will convene two (2) workshops in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). The first workshop was titled ‘Prevention and Management of Diabetic Foot Complications’.
During this workshop, twenty-two (22) Community Health Aides and two (2) Nursing Assistants were trained in screening techniques which will help them to identify persons at a high risk for diabetic foot ulceration.
Participants also learned about effective strategies that can be employed in their daily duties to help to improve the quality of life for persons with foot problems related to diabetes, in a bid to prevent foot ulcers and subsequent amputations in SVG.
The workshop also included presentations by Consultant Surgeon at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital Dr. Barry Aussi, Medical Officer; also at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Dr. Erica Jordan, and Dr. Tomo Kanda, PAHO Advisor on Chronic Diseases and Mental Health. Their presentations were on the topics:
•Risk factors that contribute to the development of diabetic foot complications.
•Treatment plans for the prevention and management of diabetic foot complications.
•Organisational changes that can support risk reduction of diabetic foot complications and amputation prevention.
Foot ulceration is a major complication of diabetes and consumes a major portion of the resources allocated for the treatment of diabetes every year in SVG. Between 2009 – 2013, 40% – 60% of all traumatic lower limb amputations at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital were due to diabetic complications. Four hundred and thirty-four (434) cases of amputations secondary to diabetes mellitus were conducted in SVG between 2009 – 2013.
Later this month a ‘Chronic Disease Self- Management’ workshop will be held also at Frenches House. This workshop is a Stanford University Self-Management program. During this four-day workshop, 20 persons will receive training in different self-management tools and techniques in a bid to aid persons who are living with chronic diseases to live healthier lives. The participants in this workshop will also learn how their role and that of the providers differ when dealing with chronic illness versus acute illness.
Participants for this workshop will include persons from the Ministry of National Mobilisation Caregivers program, Mental Health Centre, Lewis Punnette Home, Lions Club Kingstown, Diabetic & Hypertensive Association, and the CCA Limited of Canouan. Participants will also be drawn from the Nutrition and Health Promotions Units in the Ministry of Health, Wellness & the Environment.
Facilitators for the workshops will be Ms. Rosemary Mockette, Community Nutritionist in the Ministry of Health Wellness & the Environment; and Dr. Tomo Kanda – PAHO Advisor on Chronic Diseases & Mental Health.
Upon completion of the training, participants will each receive a certificate.