Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has launched Walk Safe, a two-year national diabetic foot programme designed to identify risk earlier and improve referral pathways for patients at risk of ulcers and amputation.
The programme was set up under a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Diabetic Foot Association, the Saudi Interventional Radiology Society and medical device company Boston Scientific, announced in June.
How Walk Safe works
- It starts in several Ministry of Health hospitals and is planned to expand to more than 36 diabetes centres, seven of which already have dedicated diabetic foot centres.
- It introduces enhanced screening protocols for people with diabetes.
- It includes training for nursing teams in diabetic foot assessment.
- Boston Scientific will share international practice in vascular care, reflecting the role of poor circulation in non-healing ulcers.
The stated goals are fewer amputations, better patient outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
The challenge
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world, and diabetic foot complications are a leading cause of hospital admission and lower-limb amputation in the Kingdom. Studies of primary care in regions such as Al-Ahsa have identified barriers to diabetic foot care, including gaps in routine screening and referral.
A role for podiatry
The programme’s emphasis on screening, nurse training and referral pathways creates clear openings for podiatrists and foot care specialists, who can carry out risk assessments, manage early lesions and provide offloading and footwear advice. Podiatry is still a small profession in Saudi Arabia, and Walk Safe is likely to add to demand for trained practitioners. Our guide to podiatrist licensing in Saudi Arabia explains how to register with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
IMEA POD Perspective
Walk Safe brings government, clinical societies and industry together around a single measurable goal: fewer amputations. Its focus on vascular care is important, as revascularisation is often the difference between healing and amputation. The next step that would strengthen the programme is making podiatrists and pedorthists core members of the diabetic foot team, so that prevention, offloading and footwear are delivered alongside screening and vascular treatment. Published outcome data at the end of the two years will show whether the model should be extended to all diabetes centres in the Kingdom.
Sources and further reading
- Arab News: Top Saudi institutions to tackle diabetes under new deal
- Barriers affecting diabetic foot care in primary healthcare settings in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Ministry of Health