In an effort to combat the rising number of amputations in Guyana, with the most recent figures showing 108 amputations recorded in 2023, the Ministry of Health has initiated a diabetic foot care training programme. The training is being conducted at the Windjammer Hotel in Georgetown and is attended by nurses from across the country.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, addressing the attendees, noted the urgency of the issue: “As of 2023, we had 108 people whose feet were cut off. Could we have prevented that? Could we have saved some limbs? Maybe we could have, but perhaps we weren’t diligent enough. Some of the fault lies with people not coming to clinics, and if last year’s number was 108, previous years were likely similar.”
He also announced plans to establish a diabetic clinic at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in order to reduce the distance amputees need to travel for care and rehabilitation. “Patients come to the Ptolemy Reid Centre to get prosthetics and related services, and the effort it takes to get there is challenging. One of the things I suggested was setting up a diabetic clinic at the centre because patients struggle to access services and often have to make repeated visits,” Anthony said.
