Dr. Vijay Viswanathan, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP
Dr Vijay Viswanathan is the Head and Chief Diabetologist at the MV Hospital for Diabetes and Prof M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre Royapuram Chennai. He has been a practising Diabetologist since 29 years years. He did his MD in Internal Medicine and PhD in Diabetic Nephropathy and was awarded FRCP by the Royal College of Physicians in London. He has set up a modern Diabetic Foot clinic in Chennai 25 years ago which has saved nearly 90,000 patients from amputations. He has trained over 3000 doctors and para medical people in prevention of Amputations and published over 250 research papers in peer reviewed journals on Diabetic Foot, Diabetic Kidney disease and other aspects of Diabetes. In 2021, he will be taking over as the President Elect of D Foot International based in Belgium which represents Diabetic Foot experts from over 150 countries.

Dr. David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD
Professor of Surgery and Director, Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA),
University of Arizona College of Medicine USA.

"The fact of the matter is that Asia-- and in particular South Asia is at the epicenter of a silent, sinister epidemic. For more than a generation, Dr. Viswanathan and his team have been at the forefront of addressing and attacking this terrible disease. I believe strongly that efforts put forth by Diabetic Foot Research India has the potential to make an enormous impact on lower extremity complications of diabetes throughout the region and beyond."

Andrew JM Boulton, MD, DSc (Hon), FACP, FRCP
European Association for the Study of Diabetes Professor of Medicine, University of Manchester and Visiting Professor, University of Miami, FL, Consultant Physician, Manchester Royal Infirmary UK.

"I congratulate Dr Vijay Viswanathan and colleagues for setting up a study looking at risk factors for the diabetic foot from different parts of your country. As you know, we have studied risk factors for foot ulcers in patients from different parts of the world living in Manchester and were able to show that those from the Indian sub-continent had reduced foot pressures probably related to increased joint mobility. Moreover from my Miami group, we have also shown lower foot pressures in Hispanic patients.

Knowing the large ethnic diversity that exists in India I think this study will bring some most important results which will help us prevent many foot problems in patients from your wonderful country.

The Diabetic Foot Research India (DFRI) and Diabetic Amputation Prevention Initiative in India (DAPI) will provide the ideal forum to ensure that thi research will be successful. I will watch with interest the evolution of this important study".

Prof. Stuart A Baird FFPM RCPS(Glasg). FCPodM
Professor of Podiatric Medicine| Department of Psychology, Social Work and Allied Health Sciences / School of Health and Life Sciences Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Diabetes and the consequent development of diabetic foot disease is an increasing global problem. Indeed, within the Indian context, the prevalence of diabetes is growing at an alarming rate and, according to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 65 million present with the condition, and in some Indian cities, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated to be approximately 20%. Diabetic foot disease is recognised as the leading cause of non traumatic lower limb amputation, however, it is estimated that up to 85% of amputations may be preventable if the disease in the foot is identified early. This forum will be a platform for Indian physicians and surgeons from across the country to share and learn the importance of identifying diabetic foot disease at an early stage thereby preventing the devastating consequences of limb amputation.