Man who mistook diabetes for a foot infection

By Rawlings Otieno

When Luke Amugune woke up with a slightly painful and swollen left leg five years ago, he thought it was because of walking too much.

Luke Amugune shows the wound on his foot. [Photo: Joseph Kiptarus/ Standard]

He had handled it like any other minor problem by buying some drugs and a cream from a nearby chemist.

The pharmacist also insisted that 46-year-old man, gets an anti-tetanus injection. After which he resumed his work of supplying sodas in the sprawling slums of Majengo in Nairobi.

However, the pain didn’t subside and in a few days a gaping wound developed on the swollen leg and worse it was oozing pus.

"The swollen region extended to the entire leg and the pain became excruciating," says the father of six.

After trying different medications given by various pharmacists, he eventually sought help from a health facility.

Amugune was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure.

"I was so shocked because I always thought this disease was for the rich people," says Amugune.

Ironically, Amugune had exhibited key symptoms pointing to diabetes like frequent urination increased thirst and hunger, but he didn’t know.

"The doctor told me I had high blood pressure, which was causing diabetes. I was advised to stop eating sugary foods, in order to control the situation," says Amugune.

Amugune stopped eating sugary foods, but this only reduced the swelling for a short time while the wound which had become septic continued to expand. In desperation he tried a cocktail of herbal medicines but to no avail.

"The wound had become so big and was discharging smelly pus," explains Amugune.

It was then that he decided to visit Radiant Pangani Hospital, where he was told to pay a deposit of Sh50,000 before he could receive treatment but he couldn’t afford.

So he sought treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and although the cost was Sh30,000 less, still he couldn’t raise the fee. He is now appealing for help.

This was because the man had to feed his six children, pay rent and school fees.

According to Dr Kirtida Sandeep, a consultant diabetologist at KNH, diabetes is the newest threat to life, with Type 2 being the most common.

Dr Sandeep warns that many Kenyans maybe walking with the disease but are not aware.

The diabetologists advises people to look out for signs such as frequent urination, abnormal thirst, dry mouth, extreme tiredness or lack of energy, constant hunger, sudden weight loss, blurred vision and recurrent infections.

She notes that diabetes Type 2 is preventable, if it is detected early.

"But you can also stay safe by changing your eating habits, a major cause of diabetes mellitus," Dr Sandeep advises.

Go for medical screening in order to check their sugar and cholesterol levels.

As for, Amugune his diabetes has advanced .

Not even the effort of his 35-year-old wife, Lydia Aicho, to raise the treatment fee through casual labour has borne fruits.

She has tried to save Sh10,000, but given the fact that she is now the sole bread winner, as Amugune can no longer walk it has become a daunting task.

The once bubbly and hard working Amugune is now confined to his house as the wound continues to eat his feet.

To compound this grim situation, his blood pressure is quite high but cannot afford drugs to control it.

To help Amugune call 0723 504297.

Account name:

Luka Amugune Akwijaya, Equity Eastleigh Branch, Account Number: 0430194117483