New global alliance launched to prevent foot ulcers and limb loss in diabetes patients

Eight groups from around the world have launched the Global Alliance for Diabetic Foot Survival and Limb Preservation. The launch took place on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Diabetic Foot Society of India national conference in Bengaluru. The founding members signed a joint declaration to make diabetic foot ulcers a global public health priority.

Members and Focus

The eight groups in the alliance are the Diabetic Foot Society of India, King's College London, the International Association of Diabetic Foot Surgeons, D-Foot International, the Pan African Diabetic Foot Study Group, the American Limb Preservation Society, the International Federation of Podiatrists, and the Podiatric Surgeons' Society. A 2023 review cited in the proposal estimates that 18.6 million people around the world get diabetic foot ulcers every year. The review also notes that five-year mortality is about 30 percent after an ulcer and more than 70 percent after a major amputation.

Action Plan

The alliance will work on research, training workers, collecting data, and talking with the World Health Organization and national governments to gain better policy recognition. The framework also includes patients with diabetes, foot ulcers, or amputations in decision-making and program design. Plans involve regional demonstration programs, shared measurement tools, and yearly progress reports.

Context

Health groups often form international alliances to combine resources and push global health bodies for policy changes. Diabetic complications like foot ulcers require coordinated care across multiple medical specialties to lower the risk of severe outcomes.