Basseterre, St Kitts: The Rotary Club of Liamuiga (RCL) has long been a leader in foot care management, providing specialist training in the care of the diabetic foot by the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) to medical staff throughout The Federation. They have also financed two nurses through a ‘train-the-trainer’ course so that in future we are self-reliant in diabetic foot care training.
In keeping with this focus RCL welcomed a diverse group of dedicated professionals who travelled from across North America volunteering their time and effort to conduct free pedicure services under the watchful eye of their trainers. Local volunteers headed up by RCL included Rotarians, Lions and Leos. Each and every member played an instrumental role in making the event a huge success.
Winston Churchill said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
It takes a special group of people to donate time, services and money for the health of feet. The North American School of Podology (NASP) is one such group that went beyond the call of duty to make a difference to almost 900 people living in The Federation. Between January 30 and February 2, 2017, along with its graduating Class of 2017, NASP offered a unique, FREE four day foot care clinic to help Kittitians and Nevisians with skin and nail related foot problems.
Under the leadership of Dr. Katharin von Gavel – PhD; BSc Pod; DNM; DCh; and Founder of the North American School of Podology (NASP) – a dynamic group of 48 dedicated doctors, nurses, aestheticians, pedicurists and support staff took their wealth of foot care expertise to St. Kitts and provided foot care services. Twenty-eight members in attendance were graduating students from NASP completing their residency programme for the prestigious Degree; Bachelor of Science in Podology (BSc Pod). The organisation has returned to the island five times in the last 11 years.
The graduating students once again attracted long line ups offering foot care for diabetics and a host of other foot-related skin and nail conditions, including but not limited to extreme rough and dry skin, painful cracked heels, severely thickened toenails. An additional and integral part of the service this year was the presence of the nurses from the Community Health Services of the Ministry of Health who were busy all week checking blood sugar and blood pressure and spending the time to educate the clients on foot care, especially for diabetics. Those needing diabetic foot care were invited to attend the diabetic foot care clinics.
Many with footwear that was not conducive to caring for their feet were fitted with new shoes that were also part of the programme. Close to 300 pairs of shoes were given away to those in need as part of the clinic!
To quote a comment from one of the NASP graduates of 2017: “It was an experience I will never forget, very emotional…. I’m in for next time.”
Sponsors: Footlogix, National Shoe, Micrylium, SuperMax Health Care, Graham Medical, Fernanda’s Beauty Supply, FLOW, KOSCAB and Warner’s One Stop.
Volunteers: A special thanks to the Rotary Club of Liamuiga, St. Kitts Lions and Leos
Thank you to our generous donors and sponsors!