Natl Med J India
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Case Reports Retracted Publication
Guinea-worm (Dracunculus medinensis) infection presenting as a diabetic foot abscess: A case report from Kerala.
Dracunculiasis or guinea-worm infection is a water-borne, parasitic disease that can cause major morbidity. Dracunculiasis in patients with diabetes can be misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot abscess, which is a common complication of poorly controlled diabetes. ⋯ There is need for awareness among physicians about the occurrence of GWD in people with diabetes and the need to ensure supply of safe drinking water to prevent its re- emergence. Though WHO has declared India free of GWD, a few cases have been reported from the country.
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Corneal blindness is a priority condition under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and an important cause of avoidable blindness in India. A multipronged approach is needed to eliminate corneal blindness. Curable or treatable blindness requires a spectrum of care including medication, optical rehabilitation and corneal transplantation. ⋯ A model eye banking system in India can be achieved only when it is linked with the targeted infrastructure proposed under 'Vision 2020: Right to Sight- India'. Considering these targets, there is a requirement of at least 20 eye bank training centres, 200 eye banks with corneal transplant facility (collection of nearly 500 corneas per year) and 2000 eye donation centres in the country. This would become a reality if the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme is strengthened at all private and government hospitals, uniform medical standards are made mandatory for all eye banks and eye donation centres and the process of registration and eye donation is simplified to enhance community participation.