Saving Limbs and Lives: India Launches National Network of Advanced Wound-Care Centres to Combat Escalating Diabetes Crisis

NEW DELHI — As India faces an escalating diabetes epidemic, a groundbreaking national network of specialized wound-care centres of excellence is set to roll out across the country over the next two to three years. Announced on June 15, 2026, the initiative aims to address a critical and traditionally neglected facet of diabetes management by offering integrated diagnosis, advanced treatment, and long-term digital monitoring for patients suffering from chronic, non-healing wounds.

A Neglected Crisis Takes Center Stage

India has long been referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world.” According to recent data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 89.8 million Indian adults were living with diabetes in 2024, representing 10.5% of the population. This builds upon landmark epidemiological research from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR-INDIAB), which previously identified 101 million individuals with diabetes and an additional 136 million living with pre-diabetes. Effectively, every fifth person with diabetes globally resides in India.

Despite these staggering figures, the downstream complications of the disease—most notably chronic wounds and nerve damage—have historically flown under the healthcare radar.

“Wound care remains a largely neglected area of healthcare in India,” says Dr. Rahul Chandola, a veteran cardiovascular surgeon and the founder of IHLD MedTech.

The consequences of this systemic blind spot are severe:

• High Lifetime Incidence: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect between 15% and 25% of individuals with diabetes during their lifetime.

• Amputation Rates: Approximately 100,000 lower-limb amputations occur annually across the nation due to diabetes-related complications. DFUs contribute to roughly 80% of all non-traumatic amputations.

• Elevated Mortality: The stakes extend beyond mobility. Patients with a history of DFUs face a 40% higher 10-year mortality rate compared to those without the condition.

The Wound Heal Plus Initiative

To confront this challenge, IHLD MedTech—an Indian medical technology firm specializing in digital health delivery platforms—is launching the Wound Heal Plus initiative. The project is backed by an initial $3 million investment from Singapore-listed UltraGreen.ai, with provisions to scale up to $12 million based on mutually agreed clinical and operational milestones.

The funding is designated to expand both the physical Wound Heal Plus centres and their accompanying digital sister platform, iLiveConnect. Unlike traditional, fragmented clinics, these new hubs are designed to house screening, advanced diagnostic imaging, specialized wound therapies, physical rehabilitation, and digital follow-up services under a single roof.

A Multidisciplinary Approach Powered by Advanced Tech

Successfully managing a diabetic wound requires specialized inputs from multiple medical disciplines. The new centres will deploy a collaborative care model uniting vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, podiatrists, orthotists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation specialists.

A central technological feature of the initiative is the use of near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green. This advanced tool allows clinicians to visually map and quantitatively measure regional microvascular blood flow and tissue perfusion in real time. Because poorly oxygenated tissue cannot heal, this data helps physicians pinpoint exactly where tissue viability is compromised.

The imaging data will be integrated with WoundLinks, a proprietary software platform co-developed with UltraGreen.ai. This software utilizes predictive algorithms to assist clinicians in standardizing wound assessments and crafting precise, data-driven treatment plans.

Extending Care Beyond Hospital Walls

The initiative recognizes that healing a chronic wound does not end when a patient leaves the clinic. Part of the capital investment will scale up iLiveConnect, an AI-enabled, doctor-led continuity-care platform designed to monitor patients at home.

By combining wearable biosensors, predictive analytics, and direct remote physician oversight, the platform flags early markers of physiological deterioration or wound inflammation before they escalate into a medical crisis.

“After discharge, patients will continue to receive care through iLiveConnect and mobile wound-care clinics, enabling specialists to track healing and intervene early,” notes Dr. Chandola.

Ravinder Sajwan, CEO of UltraGreen.ai, echoed this vision, stating:

“We believe the future of healthcare lies at the intersection of advanced technology, clinical intelligence, and continuous patient engagement.”

Filling a Vital Public Health Gap

Public health advocates have long highlighted the structural gaps that lead to high amputation rates in developing economies. A previous project by the World Diabetes Foundation noted that due to systemic overcrowding, patient apathy, and an overall lack of awareness, non-healing wounds are rarely prioritized in general medicine clinics.

Furthermore, significant educational gaps persist regarding specialized foot care. Medical experts note that diabetic foot complications are frequently neglected because patients do not realize that minor blisters can rapidly turn into deep, limb-threatening infections. There is also a pervasive shortage of podiatrists in India, with the specialty frequently misunderstood by the general public.

Dr. Chandola explains the underlying pathology that drives this need:

“A significant number of diabetic patients develop complications such as neuropathy [nerve damage] and vasculopathy [circulatory disease], which increase their risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. Millions of people suffer from such chronic wounds, which can severely affect their quality of life, and, in many cases, lead to amputations if not treated properly.”

According to data compiled by the World Health Organization and international diabetic foot working groups, incorporating comprehensive, preventive foot care alongside an organized, multidisciplinary team approach has the potential to reduce diabetes-related foot complications and amputations by up to 85% globally.

       [Peripheral Neuropathy] & [Poor Circulation]
                              │
                              ▼
                  [Minor Injury or Blister]
                              │
                              ▼
                [Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU)]
                              │
             ┌────────────────┴────────────────┐
             ▼                                 ▼
   [Fragmented / Late Care]         [Integrated Multidisciplinary Care]
             │                                 │
             ▼                                 ▼
    [High Risk of Amputation]        [Up to 85% Reduction in Amputations]

Limitations and Systemic Challenges

While the rollout represents a substantial technological and clinical leap forward, independent public health analysts emphasize several challenges the initiative must navigate:

• Access and Equity: Research published on the epidemiological profile of chronic wounds in India reveals a stark rural-urban divide. The prevalence of chronic wounds is notably higher in rural communities (2.64 per 1,000 people) compared to urban areas (1.57 per 1,000). The initiative’s ultimate success will depend on its ability to reach beneath the tier-1 metropolitan cities into underserved rural regions.

• Cost Accessibility: Comprehensive management of advanced DFUs can be financially draining, with some estimates putting full treatment courses around $1,960. Without robust health insurance integration or public sector subsidies, these advanced services may remain out of reach for lower-income patients.

• Workforce Scarcity: Executing a strict multidisciplinary care model requires a steady pipeline of highly specialized medical professionals. India currently faces a shortage of dedicated podiatrists and specialized wound care nurses.

• Evolving Technology and Validation: While near-infrared fluorescence imaging is a valuable clinical tool, some recent independent research suggests that standard clinical measurements—such as transcutaneous oxygen pressure ($TcPO_2$)—remain critical for verifying post-procedural blood flow. The centres will need to balance new tech with established, traditional diagnostic metrics.

What This Means for Readers

For Patients and Caregivers

If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, proactive daily habits are your strongest defense against serious complications:

1. Schedule Annual Screenings: Ensure your healthcare provider checks your feet at least once a year for peripheral artery disease and a loss of protective sensation (neuropathy).

2. Perform Daily Inspections: Inspect the tops and bottoms of your feet daily for blisters, redness, cuts, or calluses. Use a mirror if necessary.

3. Prioritize Proper Footwear: Avoid walking barefoot, even indoors. Wear well-fitting, cushioned shoes with a wide toe box to minimize friction.

4. Seek Immediate Care: Never attempt to treat calluses, corns, or ingrown toenails at home. If you notice a break in the skin that does not begin healing within 24 to 48 hours, seek an immediate referral to a specialized wound-care or diabetic foot clinic.

For Healthcare Professionals

The shift away from reactive, isolated ulcer treatments toward an integrated, proactive network aligns directly with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidelines. Practitioners are encouraged to establish clear referral pathways to specialized multidisciplinary teams early in the presentation of a wound to optimize tissue salvage and improve long-term survival outcomes.

Medical Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References

• https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/specialised-wound-care-centres-to-be-rolled-out-nationwide-amid-rising-diabetes-burden/131745208?utm_source=latest_news&utm_medium=homepage