Diabetes claims 4400 amputations each year

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MORE than 4400 diabetes-related amputations are performed in Australian hospitals every year, and most are preventable.

Diabetes Australia’s chief executive, Associate Professor Greg Johnson, revealed the worrying statistic yesterday at the launch of National Diabetes Week in Melbourne.

“To put that in perspective, today around 12 people will undergo a diabetes-related amputation.

Tomorrow, 12 more amputations,” he said. Prof Johnson said diabetes-related amputations and other costs related to diabetic food disease set Australia back $875 million each year.