BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A one-week free clinic offered by the Canada-based North American School of Podology (NASP) may have begun as a routine practical coursework trip for students, but the quality education in foot care received has proven to be life changing for hundreds.
From day one, nationals and residents of the Federation came in by the dozens to the Football House to receive foot care that is uncommon on the island.
The procedure is more than a manicure but less than a chiropody treatment, and is important in identifying systemic diseases affecting the feet, skin disorders and diabetic foot syndromes.
The clinic had 10 foot care stations set up on the third floor of the facility with two on the first floor to allow easier access for the elderly. About 90 persons were accommodated each day and their responses to the quality care provided were all favourable.
Marjorie Burroughs of Lower Cayon told SKNVibes that after having problems with cracked heels and diabetes, she decided to give the foot care a try.
“It was a very good experience. They looked at my feet and massaged them and told me how to take care of them. I am a diabetic but I never really knew how to care for the feet. Now I know. I will definitely take better care of my feet,” she said.
“It was truly useful” were the words of Maisie Halliday, who told SKNVibes that she gets a pedicure from time to time but enjoyed learning about some of the problems that could affect her feet and ways to treat them.
“If problems develop, then that can lead to amputation which is something nobody wants to happen,” Halliday added.
Some, however, had never had such health care provided to them. In the case of Henrietta Rogers and Muriel Davis, both of St. Peters, the experience was “a good learning experience... [that] really encouraged us to take better care of our feet”.
The outreach is the vision of Dr. Katherine Vongavel, who accompanied the 37 students and educators on the trip. She described the health mission as “certainly worthwhile” and “fruitful”, as the group of medical practitioners were able to encourage greater focus on foot care for all.
“It’s been a wonderful experience for me. We are based in Canada and we have spread out into the United States, but to be able to have such an impact with people outside of North America is what makes it all worthwhile for me. That really is why we are here and it’s a wonderful feeling,” the NASP official said.
She noted, as is the case in many other countries, people in St. Kitts-Nevis neglect their feet. Cases seen during the week ranged from very healthy feet to severe cases of diabetes that caused dark, thick nails, cracked heals, calluses, open wounds and ulcerations. Such cases must be urgently addressed, according to Vongavel, in order to avoid further complications and amputation of the extremity.
Project manager Udora Farrell described the week of free foot care as a “resounding success”, adding that the staff was inundated with patients with a variety of afflictions.
“Some related to diabetes, others relating to ill-fitting shoes and support. We have had more than we expected and the demand is incredibly high, which shows that this service is actually required. What we also want to do is to educate pedicurists to look for early signs because if you can nip [problems] earlier, it is better,” she said.
Farrell thanked the staff and students of the NASP and partnering organizations such as the SKN Football Association and Meridian Medical Practice for recognizing the importance of the service provided.
Training of locals in podology and committing to making the trip annual are said to be under consideration by the Canadian institute.
