NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, AUG. 6
With diabetes rapidly emerging as one of India’s biggest public health challenges, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Alwarpet has on Thursday launched an Advanced Super Specialty Diabetic Foot Care Clinic aimed at tackling one of the disease’s most neglected yet devastating complications—diabetic foot ulcers that often lead to avoidable amputations. The initiative seeks to promote early screening, specialised treatment and limb-preserving interventions, while spreading awareness that timely medical attention can prevent lifelong disability.
- Specialised diabetic foot clinic at Chennai’s Alwarpet focuses on early detection, limb preservation and evidence-based treatment
- Free screening camp on August 8-9 aims to identify high-risk patients before complications become irreversible
- Experts warn that nearly one in three people with diabetes may develop foot ulcers during their lifetime
- Comprehensive care combines advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive vascular procedures and personalised preventive programmes
- Hospital urges people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease not to ignore numbness, wounds or changes in foot sensation
The dedicated clinic brings together evidence-based screening, early risk identification, accurate diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and advanced limb-salvage procedures under one roof. Designed to improve patient outcomes, the centre focuses on preventing diabetic foot ulcers, reducing lower-limb amputations and enabling patients to maintain mobility and a better quality of life.
India continues to shoulder one of the world’s largest diabetes burdens. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 77 million adults in the country are living with diabetes, while another 25 million are estimated to have prediabetes.
Among the disease’s most overlooked complications are foot disorders. Medical studies show that nearly 60 to 70 per cent of people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy, resulting in loss of sensation that allows even minor cuts or injuries to go unnoticed until they develop into serious ulcers. Experts also estimate that one in every three diabetic patients is likely to develop a diabetic foot ulcer during their lifetime, underlining the importance of routine screening and early intervention.
To mark the launch and strengthen public awareness, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Alwarpet will organise a Free Diabetic Foot Screening Camp on August 8 and 9, 2026 for individuals living with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
The two-day programme will provide expert consultations, comprehensive foot examinations, blood circulation and sensation assessments, besides personalised guidance on preventive foot care and appropriate diabetic footwear.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Balakumar R, Senior Consultant – Vascular Surgery, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Alwarpet, said:
“Diabetic foot complications are often preventable when identified early. Unfortunately, many patients delay seeking medical attention until the condition has progressed significantly. Through the Advanced Super Specialty Diabetic Foot Care Clinic, we hope to encourage early screening and provide patients with specialised care that can help preserve mobility, reduce complications, and improve their overall quality of life. Comprehensive diabetic foot care has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of major amputations when patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.”
The newly launched clinic integrates advanced diagnostic technologies with internationally accepted treatment protocols and personalised preventive care.
Its major services include:
- Advanced Diagnostics & Assessment: T.I.M.E. Clinical Decision Support Tool (CDST) for ulcer assessment, comprehensive neurological evaluation, vascular assessment and angiosome-based evaluation.
- Advanced Wound Management: Hydrosurgery-assisted debridement, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), Topical Warm Oxygen Therapy (TWOT), Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and specialised wound care.
- Surgical Interventions: Minimally invasive vascular procedures and reconstructive foot surgeries performed as day-care procedures.
- Preventive Care & Patient Education: Structured counselling, preventive care programmes and customised diabetic footwear solutions to reduce recurrence and improve long-term foot health.
Hospital authorities said the launch reinforces Apollo Spectra Hospital’s commitment to advancing diabetic foot care through timely diagnosis, evidence-based therapies, innovative limb-preservation strategies and continuous patient education, enabling people with diabetes to lead healthier, more active and independent lives.
