International Diabetic Foot Initiative – Montserrat, Caribbean
Delivering specialist diabetic foot care, preventing amputations and building a sustainable future for podiatry in Montserrat
In [month/year], an international team of four podiatrists travelled to Montserrat in the Caribbean for a week-long clinical and public health initiative aimed at tackling diabetic foot disease, preventing avoidable foot ulceration and reducing diabetes-related lower-limb amputations across the island.
Led by Consultant Podiatrist Abid Hussain, the team delivered specialist clinical assessments and treatments to patients living with diabetes, while working alongside local healthcare professionals, government representatives and policymakers to address the significant challenges facing diabetic foot care provision in Montserrat.
A major challenge facing the island is the complete absence of podiatrists. This means that patients living with diabetes have limited access to specialist podiatric assessment, preventative foot care and advanced diabetic foot interventions. The initiative sought not only to provide immediate clinical support but also to establish a pathway towards developing a permanent, locally delivered podiatry service.
Clinical services and patient care
During the week, the team provided a range of specialist diabetic foot services, including:
Comprehensive diabetic foot assessments and screening.
Diabetic foot ulcer assessment and treatment.
Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations.
Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) measurements to assess peripheral arterial circulation.
Identification of patients at risk of diabetic foot complications.
Clinical advice and preventative strategies to reduce the risk of ulceration and lower-limb amputation.
The multidisciplinary approach enabled patients to access specialist investigations and interventions that would otherwise be difficult to obtain locally. Early identification of vascular compromise, pressure-related problems and developing ulceration is essential in preventing complications and preserving limb health.
Working with government and health policymakers
Recognising that sustainable improvements in diabetic foot outcomes require more than clinical intervention alone, the team undertook an extensive programme of engagement with Montserrat's political leadership, health officials and policymakers.
The delegation was invited to attend two significant regional meetings:
The 39th OCES PPS Policy Board Meeting. The 12th Council of Ministers of Health Meeting
These engagements provided an important opportunity to raise awareness of the burden of diabetic foot disease, discuss the absence of podiatry services on the island and advocate for a long-term strategy to improve diabetic foot care.
During the visit, the team also met with the British Governor of Montserrat and the Premier of Montserrat, alongside Ministers of Health and other senior government representatives.
The initiative received considerable public attention, with members of the team appearing on local radio on several occasions to discuss diabetes, diabetic foot complications, preventative care and the importance of developing specialist podiatry services.
Building a podiatry workforce for Montserrat
One of the most important objectives of the visit was to establish a sustainable solution to the island's lack of podiatry provision.
The team actively lobbied government officials and health policymakers to support the sponsorship of individuals from Montserrat to undertake podiatry education and professional training in the United Kingdom.
The vision is to develop a locally trained podiatry workforce, with individuals returning to Montserrat following their studies to establish and deliver dedicated diabetic foot clinics.
This would represent a significant step towards building long-term clinical capacity, enabling earlier identification of diabetic foot complications, improving access to preventative care and reducing the need for patients to travel overseas for specialist treatment.
Rather than relying solely on visiting clinical teams, the ambition is to help Montserrat develop its own podiatry service, supported by appropriate training, infrastructure and integration within the island's healthcare system.
International Diabetic Foot Symposium – Keynote Address
As part of the initiative, a dedicated symposium was organised to bring together healthcare professionals and stakeholders to discuss diabetes, diabetic foot disease, limb preservation and the future of podiatry in Montserrat.
Abid Hussain was invited to deliver the keynote address, sharing his extensive clinical experience and highlighting the importance of establishing accessible, preventative and evidence-informed diabetic foot services.
The keynote explored the challenges associated with diabetic foot disease, the importance of early intervention and the need for sustainable podiatry services in communities where specialist provision is limited.
The symposium keynote presentation is available below.
A collaborative initiative funded by Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat, Inc.
This international initiative was made possible through the support and funding of Pink Ribbon Charity Montserrat, Inc., whose contribution enabled the visiting podiatry team to deliver clinical services, engage with government stakeholders and contribute to the wider ambition of improving diabetic foot care on the island.
The visit demonstrated the value of international collaboration in addressing inequalities in healthcare access and developing sustainable clinical services in smaller and underserved communities.
Looking towards the future
The ultimate ambition of the Montserrat initiative extends beyond the week of clinical activity. It is about creating a lasting legacy through education, workforce development and the establishment of permanent diabetic foot services.
With no podiatrists currently practising on the island, developing a locally trained workforce represents an important opportunity to transform how diabetic foot disease is identified, managed and prevented.
By combining direct patient care, clinical education, political engagement and international collaboration, the initiative took an important step towards a future in which people living with diabetes in Montserrat have access to dedicated podiatry services.
The vision is simple: prevent avoidable diabetic foot ulcers, reduce diabetes-related amputations and ensure that the people of Montserrat have access to the specialist foot care they deserve.