Joint Declaration and Global Alliance
Eight leading organisations—Diabetic Foot Society of India (DFSI), Podiatric Surgeons’ Society, King’s College Hospital Diabetic Foot Unit (London), International Association of Diabetic Foot Surgeons (IADFS), D‑Foot International, Pan‑African Diabetic Foot Study Group (PADFSG), American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS) and International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP‑IFP)—signed a Joint Declaration on Diabetic Foot Survival and Limb Preservation at the 23rd Annual Conference of the Diabetic Foot Society of India (DFSICON 2026) in Bengaluru. The declaration commits the signatories to a single agenda covering prevention, early detection, timely referral, multidisciplinary care, limb preservation and rehabilitation, and calls on governments and the World Health Organization to prioritise diabetic foot disease. The parties also announced the formation of a Global Alliance to coordinate these efforts worldwide.
Government Inauguration and Statements
The conference was inaugurated by Hon’ble Health & Family Welfare Minister of Karnataka, U. T. Khader, who highlighted Karnataka’s extensive work in screening, preventing and treating diabetic foot disease across every district, and pledged continued collaboration with doctors and professional bodies to eliminate preventable limb loss. Prof. V. B. Narayana Murthy, National President of DFSI, stated that scientific bodies from across the world have now agreed on a measurable agenda to protect life, limb and dignity. Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Organising Secretary of DFSICON 2026, emphasized that the event brings together every specialty that touches the diabetic foot, noting that saving limbs is no longer the work of a single discipline or country. Dr. Pavan Belehalli, Organising Treasurer, remarked that technology such as the newly launched tools will only earn its place when it reaches patients directly.
Launch of AI‑Powered Tools and Publication
During the inauguration, two AI‑driven solutions were launched: StrideGPT, an artificial‑intelligence assistant designed to answer diabetic‑foot‑related queries for patients and clinicians, and Wound360, a mobile application that uses photographic analysis to recognise and assess wounds, thereby assisting clinicians in documenting and tracking healing progress. In addition, a coffee‑table book titled A Step Ahead—focusing on footwear and foot health—was released. The team behind PRAIAS, a nationwide diabetic‑foot screening and awareness initiative, received a felicitation for its contributions.
Conference Details
DFSICON 2026 runs from 1 October to 4 October 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru, Embassy Manyata Business Park. The conference expects approximately 700 delegates and more than 120 national and international faculty members who will present across various aspects of diabetic‑foot care. Media contacts for further information are Dr. Sanjay Sharma (Organising Secretary, +91 99807 72658, info@dfsicon.com) and Dr. Pavan Belehalli (Organising Treasurer, +91 99002 65665, info@dfsicon.com).
Significance
The joint declaration and the planned Global Alliance aim to elevate diabetic foot disease to a World Health Organization priority, addressing a condition that is a leading cause of amputation, disability and early death among the over 100 million people with diabetes in India alone. The introduction of AI tools and the publication of educational material are intended to broaden access to reliable information and improve clinical outcomes across the participating continents.