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Saturday, 30 August
2014 | ArabMedicare.com | Staff Reporter
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Photo: Professor Susan Braid,
Head of The School of Health
Sciences,
University of Salford
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Mafraq Hospital improves
diabetic care after
university collaboration
(Abu Dhabi, UAE) --
Diabetes related mortality
rates and major foot
amputations have been
reduced by over a third at
Mafraq Hospital, United Arab
Emirates (UAE), after a
collaborative project with
the University of Salford,
UAE.
The hospital's former
Consultant Vascular Surgeon,
Professor Mo Baguneid, says
data shows that in 2013
Mafraq Hospital had a 38 per
cent risk reduction in
hospital mortality and major
amputation rates for
diabetic foot emergencies.
Diabetes is a serious health
issue in Abu Dhabi and
across the UAE. By 2020, it
is estimated 32 per cent of
the country’s adult
population will have
diabetes or be in the
pre-diabetes stage. The
problem is so widespread the
country's health authorities
have made diabetic care a
top political priority.
One of the most common
complications of diabetes is
complex foot infections.
These can range from
Cellulitis and deep-skin and
soft-tissue damage to more
serious conditions like
acute and chronic
Osteomyelitis.
Acute and chronic
Osteomyelitis can lead to
serious medical problems
such as severe ulceration of
the foot which, in extreme
cases, can culminate in
amputation.
Prof Baguneid, said:
'Complicated diabetic foot
infections are common within
the Middle East and in
particular the outcome of
late presentations is
devastating.'
The Hospital has been
working with the University
of Salford for over a year,
culminating in the
University producing a
report recommending ways to
enhance the hospital’s
diabetic foot, vascular and
ultrasound services.
The University has vast
expertise in the area, with
a long history of excellence
in musculoskeletal research
and training. The report
team was led by Professor
Susan Braid who has been
Head of The School of Health
Sciences at the University
for the past 10 years.
Mafraq Hospital has also
established a specialized
Diabetic Foot Team (DFT)
which will be working to
implement the
recommendations of the
report. It has recruited two
UK trained podiatrists and
two vascular technologists.
In 2016, Mafraq will open
more than 700 new beds
catering for outpatients,
many of whom will be living
with diabetes.
The University of Salford,
UAE has also developed a new
Masters-level module on
'Care of the Diabetic Foot'
which will be delivered in
country.
However, Prof Baguneid
added: 'Much more needs to
be done and continued
collaboration with the
University of Salford is
seen to be important for
both quality assurance as
well as for developing
collaborative research
proposals.'
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