A team of global experts will take part in the Second International Diabetic Foot Conference being organised next week by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The Annual Diabetic Foot Conference, which is known to be the region’s most reputed platform in shaping best practices and new innovations in the field of diabetic foot care, will take place on September 24 and  25 at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel and Conference Center in Dubai, a statement from the authority said.

The conference aims to address the growing global healthcare challenge posed by diabetes-related limb amputations.

Experts from across the Middle East and other international regions will converge to discuss and share latest developments towards the assessment and management of the foot disease, it said.

Dr Marwan Ahmad Al Zarouni, chairman of the International Diabetic Foot Conference, in charge of wound and stoma care unit, consultant plastic surgeon at Rashid Hospital, said: “The DHA has proactively undertaken major initiatives to raise awareness about the prevention of diabetes which is a pressing medical condition that has affected a significant percentage of our population.”

“Raising awareness about the disease, prevention and management of the disease is of vital importance to the DHA. Conferences such as this one, provide a platform to raise community awareness as well as encourage developing a unique regional platform, which would help facilitate knowledge sharing between core practitioners and caregivers in the field of diabetes,” he said.

He further added: “Foot complications related to uncontrolled diabetes can have life-altering consequences, especially if resulting in amputation. Furthermore the economic costs of diabetes-related lower limb amputations are high in both developing and developed countries, putting pressure on healthcare spend globally.

“As such diabetic foot care and amputation prevention efforts must become a collective agenda for practitioners worldwide”, he said.

The conference will feature a host of seminars and workshops where discussions will delve into diagnostic and interventional strategies for diabetic foot ulcers and amputation prevention.

Featuring a world-renowned faculty, the conference offers the opportunity to review state-of-the-art concepts and techniques.

Diabetes is the leading cause of lower limb amputations worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 1 million annual limb amputations – one every 30 seconds – occur globally.

WHO and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimate that up to 85 per cent of diabetes-related lower limb amputations can be avoided with appropriate preventive and specialist care.

The event which is being co-sponsored by 3M, a leader in research and development that produces innovative products for diverse markets globally will also host a booth wherein health professionals can view the latest wound care technologies. – TradeArabia News Service