ISLAMABAD - To control the increasing diabetic foot infection cases, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has taken the lead in twin cities by establishing the first Diabetic Foot Clinic in collaboration with the International Diabetic Foundation and Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology. Executive Director of PIMS Dr Abdul Majid Rajput formally inaugurated the Clinic here in the Filter Clinic of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences on Tuesday. He said Tuesday and Wednesday have been specified for the Diabetic Foot Clinic that would provide diagnostic and treatment facilities to diabetics' patients suffering from any sort of foot infection. "The Clinic will also provide treatment according to international guidelines and which will in turn prevent foot amputation," he added. As comprehensive care of foot, including skin, nails and by wearing protective footwear lowers the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations. He termed diabetes mellitus a chronic disease, which has affected more than 200 million people all over the world and at present the estimated projection is that in 2025 more than 380 million world population will be diabetic but main burden of disease will be on South East Asian country. He said PIMS has taken the initiative but it has also request Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal to join hands to support this programme. In Pakistan at present 7 to 8 million people have been roughly estimated, who are suffering from diabetes mellitus. It is expected that the number will touch to 16 million by 2025 as reported by World Health Organisation. Diabetic foot affects 8 per cent of diabetics' patients that end up with amputation of lower extremity. "PIMS administration is also planning for launching a media awareness campaign to in this regard. Beside that lectures will be delivered in educational institutes on providing care to diabetic patients," said Dr Waseem Khwaja Deputy Director PIMS. He said at present approximately 700,000 people have foot infections and almost 50,000 patients have gone amputations in Pakistan. After getting the amputation develop, the life span of patient is markedly decreased. This Diabetic Foot Clinic will be supervised by Professor Jamal Zafar and Professor Tanveer Khaliq and will be later on joined by the orthopaedics, plastic surgeons, and chiropodist and will also be supported by philanthro pists.Professor Tanveer Khaliq said 30 patients with gangrene have been diagnosed in the Outdoor Patients Department of General surgery who need amputation. Professor Jamal Zafar said the diabetic foot complications could be prevented by controlling diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure control and caring for the foot.