High-tech device for diabetic ulcers

Chennai: Diabetics in the city, who fear for amputation due to complicating ulcers in their body, now have some respite, with technology giving a hand to heal ulcers at a faster rate.

Information minister Rajendra Balaji inaugurated a state of art wound healing unit to treat diabetic ulcers on Friday.  “Everyday, one of the six patients who undergo treatment will be from government hospitals and will be provided the treatment free of cost,” said Dr J. Radhakris­hnan, secretary to government, health and family welfare. The government hospitals are alre­ady screening all patients over 30 years of age for blood sugar, he added.

The hospital will be the first diabetes centre in Tamil Nadu to posses the machine and the Hype­rbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) will be a boon for diabetics with poor blood flow and hopeless cases, explained Dr Vijay Vish­w­anathan, head and chief diabetologists at M. V. Hospital for Diabetes, emphasising that the 55 lakh worth device form Peru has been made affordable at the hospital for the middle class.

The treatment will be more effective on leg ulcers, the doctor said pointing out that 30 per cent of diabetics are having foot infections. About 40 per cent of patients in Chennai who suffer from diabetes for more than five years were reportedly having diabetic neuropathy (lack of sensation in legs), Dr Vishwa­nathan said noting ulcers due could be addressed with the 14 days treatment of HBOT.

The treatment enhances growth of blood vessels when patients breath 100 per cent oxygen inside the HBOT chamber, the doctor noted.