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Tomorrow morning sees the start of the first Diabetic Foot Working Group (DFWG) Congress in Johannesburg. In South Africa it is also a long weekend – meaning that Monday June 16 is a National Holiday, when we remember the youth of SA and their part in the struggle against apartheid. Especially the riots which broke out on June 16 1976.
June 14,15,16 are landmark dates in the history of diabetic foot care in South Africa.
The Diabetic Foot Working Group (DFWG) is holding its first congress. Noted overseas speakers will be Professor Andrew Boulton (Miami and Manchester) and Dr Zaheer Abbas from Tanzania.
Approximately 120 of South Africa's podiatrists gathered at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th July. Definitely the highlight of the SA podiatric calender!
The conference showed just how far Podiatry has come in recent years – despite the small number of registered podiatrists in the country – in providing quality foot care to the people of South Africa. For example; Podiatrists are developing into specialists in many areas of foot care and are working as key members of multidisciplinary teams in Sport – treating foot pathologies, researching biomechanics and understanding new footwear technologies. Their role in managing the Diabetic foot was confirmed. Research into the foot problems associated with Arthritis is developing. The field of Footwear design and manufacture is being influenced by podiatrists.
More on 6th Biennial Conference of the South African Podiatry Association
In February this year I was in Nairobi to present a paper at the African League Against Rheumatism Conference. Following is an abstract of the paper that I presented.
PODIATRIC INTERVENTIONS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY HOSPITAL – A CLINICAL AUDIT
EAM Clarke and M. Tikly.
More on Podiatric Assistance For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
