The Saudi Ministry of Health, the Saudi Interventional Radiology Society, the Saudi Diabetic Foot Association, and Boston Scientific have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a two-year national program called Walk Safe aimed at reducing diabetes-related amputations in the Kingdom.
Program details and objectives
Walk Safe focuses on early identification of diabetic foot risks, improving referral pathways for at-risk patients, and strengthening preventive healthcare. The initiative will initially engage several Ministry of Health hospitals, with plans to scale to more than 36 diabetes centers, including seven diabetic foot centers, according to Abdullah Arabe, president of the Diabetic Foot Association.
Expert statements
Dr. Hassan El-Shehri, president of the Saudi Interventional Radiology Society, said: “Through the early identification of diabetic foot risks, the diabetic foot national program, Walk Safe, aims to help address the high rate of diabetes-related amputations in the Kingdom. This will be achieved by improving referral pathways for at-risk diabetic patients across the healthcare system.”
Abdullah Arabe added: “We aim to reach as many patients as possible within the Kingdom and ultimately reduce the rate of diabetic foot complications for patients living with diabetes.”
Role of Boston Scientific
Saad Al-Sadhan, regional director of Boston Scientific in Saudi Arabia, stated: “Boston Scientific is proud to collaborate with healthcare stakeholders in supporting strategic and clinical implementation, contributing to integrated screening and awareness raising for patients. As a global leader in minimally invasive technologies, we will also be sharing global best practices in vascular care and explore opportunities to support knowledge exchange and professional upskilling across the Kingdom.”
Impact on healthcare system
The program aims to enhance patient outcomes, reduce amputation rates, improve longevity and quality of life, and optimize resource allocation across the Saudi healthcare system. Diabetes is a major public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, with diabetic foot complications placing a significant economic burden on patients and the national healthcare system due to costs related to ulcer care, wound management, and amputations.
