Professor Jim Mann, EDOR Co-Director, was interviewed by Stuff reporter Nick Jones about the need for action to reduce the number of lower limb amputations caused by diabetes.
The Stuff article outlines the importance of footcare services for those living with diabetes, to help prevent the need for amputations of toes, feet or lower limbs. But an acute shortage of podiatrists means that many who need these services are missing out.
As a result, up to 1200 people a year are having diabetes-related amputations, an increase of 55% over the last decade.
A PwC 2021 report on theEconomic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes, commissioned by EDOR and partners, showed that at least half of these amputations are able to be prevented if better footcare services are available.
Professor Mann told Stuff that improving footcare services for those living with diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand is essential.
“Although it’s in every basic guideline for diabetes, I don’t believe it’s happening for everyone. Because if it was, we wouldn’t be seeing this increase in amputations … it’s inexcusable," says Mann.
As well as the human cost of limb amputation for individuals and their families, these surgeries put extra pressure on stretched hospital resources and healthcare budgets. Providing better footcare services was shown by the 2021 PwC report to be cost effective, saving millions of dollars each year.
Access the Stuff article
Kiwis are losing limbs in record numbers - and most never see it coming, Stuff website, 6 October, 2025.