For the third time in the current legislature, the PS has presented a proposal that aims to improve the quality of life of people with chronic wounds, such as leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers.
The proposal, defended by Élvio Jesus, aims at the “Availability of Manual Dopplers, Compression Systems, and Chiropod Materials within the RAM Health Service, and the Creation of a Specialised Reference Centre for the prevention and treatment of Complex Wounds.”
The deputy said that there are people who spend “years of suffering with these problems that could be solved in three or four months, with simple and cheap materials.”
Presenting data from 2014, Élvio Jesus showed that the prevalence rate of leg ulcers was 1.39/thousand inhabitants, with venous ulcers being predominant (88.7%). Currently, “everything suggests that [due] to the difficulty of accessing services due to the pandemic, the prevalence in the Autonomous Region of Madeira is higher than the national average.”
Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious health problem, and the risk of those suffering from diabetes developing this type of wound is estimated at around 19 – 34%. Between 25% and 50% of the total costs associated with the care of the diabetic population are attributed to diabetic foot ulcers.
The creation of a Specialised Reference Centre for the prevention and treatment of Complex Wounds is another recommendation. Élvio Jesus explained that this centre “would help maximise the potential for prevention and resolution, not only to diabetes related problems, bring about an end to social isolation caused by such wounds as well as treat other complex wounds, such as pressure ulcers.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
