Diabetes related conditions are one of the leading causes of death in Belize. And while lifestyle and dietary habits are a big part of controlling the conditions, for sufferers, the daily discomfort of poor circulation and the ever-present fear of amputation is painfully real. But now a new device being put into service at the KHMH can help to ease that. We found out more today.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
It's called the anodyne therapy system and it increases circulation particularly in diabetic patients.
Lisbeth Ayuso, Local Agent - Anodyne Therapy
"This machine helps a lot with diabetic patients. The reason why is that the pads here, if you notice, are applied on to the limbs wherever there is numbness, wherever there are wounds, that sort of thing, and what it does is it actually stimulates the blood cells into activity. So when you have problems with circulation, this actually gets it moving, gets the blood moving and that sort of thing."
And now the local agent has donated one of them to the KHMH.
Lisbeth Ayuso,
"I knew it was an expensive piece of equipment so what I did was my shopped around for donors and we finally found one. He wanted to remain anonymous and this is where we are today. The machine is now landed in Belize, can be used, and we decided to the donate it to the hospital where we think it would gain the most use."
One woman who swears by it is Sedella Lucas. She says it's saved her form amputation.
Sedella Lucas, 21 years with Diabetes
"For me the therapy is very good because I have seen so much progress in my leg. The pains are not gone completely but in my movements, I do not suffer the way I used to be. And I give God the glory right now that we have a machine like that, that can help me and all of us who are suffering with this terrible pain and lack of circulation in legs."
Physician Dr. Pedro Arriga is not convinced but willing to give it a try.
Dr. Pedro Arriaga, Physician
"Certainly we could use it. Of course I am skeptical so I just want to be sure that the things we have here, they have a positive goal for my patients and they are working well. I try to be as flexible as possible with my parents. I tell them this is what they are saying and we will see where it stands. The thing is that we are seeing a difference with our patients right now."
The treatment is offered at the KHMH and, as of Monday will be offered a private clinic at the First Choice Pharmacy on Cemetery Road for $40 per session.
