More than 25,000 diabetes-related consultations have been recorded since April as Gauteng combines expanded podiatry services with a new near-real-time dashboard to identify patients at risk of serious complications.
Gauteng’s health department says it is stepping up specialist foot care as diabetes-related complications continue to put patients at risk of disability and amputation. Since April, public podiatry teams have handled more than 25,000 diabetes-linked consultations across the province, with 61 podiatrists now working in 11 hospitals and five health districts, according to the department. It says the service is aimed not only at people with diabetes, but also at patients with circulatory problems, HIV, tuberculosis and other chronic illnesses that can damage the feet if treatment is delayed.
The scale of demand appears to be significant. During the 2025/26 financial year, podiatrists saw 63,046 patients and screened 34,245 people, including 14,572 with diabetes, while also issuing 9,154 therapeutic devices designed to improve mobility and independence. The Citizen reported in September that nearly 30,000 new diabetes cases were recorded in Gauteng in the same financial year, while fewer than two-thirds of patients received foot screening, underlining the gap between need and preventive care. Health workers warn that diabetic foot ulcers can develop quietly because nerve damage may dull pain, allowing infections and wounds to worsen before patients seek help.
The province’s foot-care push comes alongside wider efforts to improve diabetes monitoring. The National Health Laboratory Service said it has worked with the Gauteng health department, National Priority Programmes and the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub on South Africa’s first national diabetes dashboard, which uses HbA1c laboratory data to provide a near-real-time view of how well patients’ blood sugar is being controlled. According to South African government reporting, the platform updates within 48 hours and is intended to help clinicians intervene earlier for people at greatest risk of complications.
Gauteng health officials say prevention remains the central message. Since April, the department has taken part in 42 awareness campaigns focused on early detection, foot health education and the management of lower-limb conditions. Those campaigns were highlighted as the province marked World Podiatry Day, a reminder that routine screening, prompt treatment and patient education can help prevent chronic wounds, preserve mobility and reduce the need for amputations. The department is urging people with diabetes, circulatory disorders and other chronic conditions to seek care at the first sign of pain, numbness, wounds or other changes in foot health.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
