Eighty Per Cent of Amputations can be Avoided with Timely Intervention: Governor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Expressing concern over the loss of limbs by 30 to 50 people a day in the state, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan today said 80 per cent of amputations could be avoided through early detection and proper treatment.

Launching an year-long “Amputation-Free Keralam” campaign of the Vascular Society of Kerala (VASK) at a ceremony in the Raj Bhavan here, he said amputations have an adverse impact on the livelihood and health of the affected people and their families, especially the elderly. But this could be avoided in most cases by seeking timely medical intervention.

The Governor released the campaign logo “Save a Limb, Save a Life” at the function.

“India has been called the diabetes capital of the world with over 75 million people affected by the disease. Kerala is one of the states with the highest prevalence of diabetes. It has resulted in many people suffering from diabetic foot disease, which often leads to amputation, “the governor said.

Patting VASK for rolling out the programme, the Governor wanted all to be part of the campaign by spreading its message to ensure that no one loses legs due to the ill-effects of diabetes and smoking.

Dr R C Sreekumar, Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery, Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram and President of VASK, said it was a matter of serious concern that even with the medical advancement of the 21st century we are witnessing a large number of amputations. This happens mostly due to lack of awareness about the complications of the problem and the treatment options available, he said.

Vascular diseases usually have certain symptoms and if identified early, the affected could be effectively treated and their limbs saved in vast majority of cases, he said.

Dr Sreekumar and Prof. Dr M Unnikrishnan, President, Vascular Society of India (VSI), presented a memento to the Governor and Dr P Shivanesan, Head of the Department, Vascular Surgery, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) , proposed a vote of thanks at the function. Dr Sreeram,Vascular Surgeon, SCTIMST, also participated.

The year-long awareness campaign aims to avoid amputation through effective vascular surgery and make the treatment popular among public.

As part of the campaign, VASK will conduct a series of awareness programmes in different parts of the state.

VASK is an organisation comprising expert doctors specialising in vascular surgery and angioplasty in peripheral arteries.