The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas faces a critical shortage of podiatrists, with only four practitioners serving a population of nearly 400,000 people, according to Dr Monique Mitchell, a local podiatrist working with the Ministry of Health.

She said the shortage is particularly pressing given that nearly 20 percent of Bahamians have diabetes, a major contributor to foot-related health issues.

She said without proper care, foot complications could lead to amputations — and up to 70 percent of people who undergo such procedures may not survive beyond five years.

Dr Mitchell, who co-founded the Foot Fest initiative with Dr Shanika Hill in 2020, underscored the urgent need for greater podiatric care in The Bahamas, explaining that the initiative, now in its fourth year, started as a response to the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and has since grown to involve 54 volunteers, providing free foot care and screenings to over 1,000 patients annually.

“Foot Fest is critical in addressing the gap in podiatric care, but we need long-term solutions,” Dr Mitchell said. “The government must invest in training and hiring more podiatrists to ensure Bahamians have access to care year-round — not just during this event.”

The initiative has expanded beyond providing immediate care, with an emphasis on education. Dr Mitchell, with other speakers, advocated for preventive measures, urging Bahamians to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and get regular check-ups, including annual HbA1c tests to detect diabetes early.

Foot Fest 2025, launched on Monday in New Providence, aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access, particularly in foot care related to diabetes.

Organised in partnership with Barry University and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the event brings together medical professionals and volunteers to offer podiatric care at temporary clinics in South Beach, Flamingo Gardens, and Good News Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

The event provides diabetic health screenings, along with foot examinations and treatment, while also offering education on wound care, nutrition, and foot hygiene.

Dr Gabrielle Hutchison Donaldson, a volunteer podiatrist, emphasised that diabetes, when managed properly, does not have to result in limb loss.

“Once you’re educated and take proper care of yourself, you can prevent the kind of limb loss we see in severe cases,” she said, referring to a recent case of LaVar Ball’s foot amputation due to a diabetic ulcer.

In addition to direct patient care, Foot Fest 2025 also offers a continuing education series for healthcare professionals from March 3 to March 7.

The virtual series, hosted on Zoom, will feature experts on wound management, diabetic foot exams, and surgical treatments for diabetic ulcers.

Foot Fest 2025 will run from March 2 to March 7, with free health screenings, foot exams, and surgeries available at locations across Nassau and Exuma. In Nassau, clinics will be held at the South Beach Health Centre, Elizabeth Estates, Fleming Street, and Flamingo Gardens. Residents of Exuma can access care at the Exuma Medical Centre in George Town on March 5.

Organisers encourage Bahamians to book appointments in advance, though walk-ins are welcome.