Diabetic Foot Society of India calls for global alliance
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The Diabetic Foot Society of India (DFSI), under the aegis of its national president V.B. Narayanamurthy, has written to Zulfiqarali G. Abbas, president of the Pan-African Diabetic Foot Study Group (PADFSG), proposing the formation of a global alliance on diabetic foot survival and limb preservation.Β
The letter, a copy of which was shared with The Hindu, notes that diabetic foot ulceration is an under-recognised cause of premature death, major amputation, recurrent illness, disability, and social exclusion. Available evidence shows that its five-year mortality is comparable to that of some cancers. And yet, global investment, policy attention, organised pathways, and post-amputation support remain substantially below the scale of the problem, the letter notes. Β
The DFSI, therefore, has proposed that institutions, including itself, Kingβs College London, the International Association of Diabetic Foot Surgeons, D-Foot International, the American Limb Preservation Society, and PADFSG, come together to form a Global Alliance for Diabetic Foot Survival and Limb Preservation, to create a sustained, scientific, and policy platform for prevention, limb preservation, improved survival, rehabilitation, surveillance, research, and engagement with governments and the World Health Organization.Β
The letter further stated that DFSI intended to announce the shared intention to form the Alliance at its next national conference, slated to be held on October 2, 2026. This, it said, would be an announcement of intent rather than a representation that the Alliance had been legally constituted or that any institution had accepted a financial or contractual obligation.Β
The letter urged the PADFSG to provide in-principle concurrence with the formation of the Alliance and the proposed conference announcement.Β
Apart from the proposal for the alliance, the letter also contained a draft Joint Global Declaration for joint consultation and unveiling, andΒ asked for comments on the proposal and draft declaration from the PADFSG. Β
The DAFSI also stated that subject to the PADFSGβs concurrence, it proposed to convene the first founding meeting of the Alliance within 30 days of its conference.Β
The proposal noted that the Alliance would provide a common platform for scientific leadership, policy advocacy, regional demonstration programmes, and responsible resource mobilisation. Its objectives would include advocacy with the WHO and national governments to secure explicit recognition of diabetic foot disease as an important medical condition; to improve survival and quality of life through multi-disciplinary care and patient-centred research; to promote prevention, early detection, and rapid referral; to advance surveillance and support the development of registries; to strengthen post-amputation rehabilitation; to promote research and training programmes; and to ensure the meaningful participation of people living with diabetes in governance and programme design.
The proposal also detailed membership and governance, standing bodies, the Secretariat, proposed activities of the Alliance, donor engagement, and financial management, as well as a performance framework and a risks safeguard.
The draft declaration called for diabetic foot disease to be recognised as a major cause of premature death, disability, and exclusion. It called upon the WHO Director-General, regional directors, and member states to make diabetic foot prevention, limb preservation and survival a visible part of diabetes policy, establish common indicators and baseline registries, and support flagship programmes in at least two WHO regions.
It also proposed a goal to reduce risk-adjusted five-year mortality after a new diabetic foot ulcer by 30%, and potentially avoidable major amputations by 50% by 2030.
The draft declaration called for coordinated action that keeps people alive, mobile, included, and able to live with dignity.
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