Saudi Ministry of Health collaborates with Boston Scientific on Walk Safe initiative to reduce diabetic amputations

SAUDI ARABIA—Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to tackle one of the most serious complications of diabetes through the launch of a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the early detection and management of diabetic foot disease.

Diabetes remains a major public health challenge across the Kingdom.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, millions of adults in Saudi Arabia are living with the condition, placing growing pressure on healthcare services and increasing the risk of long-term complications.

Among the most concerning of these is diabetic foot disease, a condition often linked to poor blood circulation, nerve damage, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Without timely diagnosis and treatment, diabetic foot complications can progress to ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, lower-limb amputation.

These complications not only affect patients’ quality of life but also create a significant financial burden for families and healthcare systems through prolonged wound care, hospital admissions, and surgical procedures.

National collaboration to improve early detection

To address this challenge, the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), the Saudi Interventional Radiology Society (SIRS), the Saudi Diabetic Foot Association (DFA), and Boston Scientific have joined forces to implement Walk Safe, a national program designed to strengthen diabetic foot screening and improve referral pathways for high-risk patients.

The collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to enhance preventive healthcare and improve outcomes for people living with chronic diseases.

The two-year initiative seeks to identify diabetic foot risks at an earlier stage, enabling healthcare providers to intervene before complications become severe.

“Through the early identification of diabetic foot risks, the diabetic foot national program, Walk Safe, aims to help address the high rate of diabetes-related amputations in the Kingdom,” said Dr. Hassan Elshehri, President of the Saudi Interventional Radiology Society.

“This will be achieved by improving referral pathways for at-risk diabetic patients across the healthcare system.”

Expanding screening across the kingdom

As part of the program, SIRS and DFA will coordinate with healthcare institutions, hospital leadership teams, and Ministry of Health facilities to support implementation and training.

“The aim is to engage several Ministry of Health hospitals across the Kingdom, with plans to scale to more than 36 diabetes centers, seven of which also include diabetic foot centers,” said Abdullah Arabe, President of the Diabetic Foot Association.

“We aim to reach as many patients as possible and ultimately reduce the rate of diabetic foot complications among people living with diabetes.”

The initiative will introduce enhanced screening protocols in participating diabetes centers.

Clinical specialists will train nursing teams on screening techniques and patient assessment, helping ensure that warning signs are identified before they develop into serious complications.

Supporting Saudi Arabia’s preventive care agenda

The Walk Safe program builds on ongoing efforts in Saudi Arabia to strengthen prevention of diabetic foot complications.

Earlier this year, the initiative was piloted in Madinah, where healthcare teams began using ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing to detect diabetic foot disease and peripheral artery disease at earlier stages.

The pilot demonstrated how early vascular assessments can help identify patients at risk before complications lead to hospitalization or amputation.

Boston Scientific will support the initiative by sharing international expertise in vascular care and facilitating professional training opportunities.

“Boston Scientific is proud to collaborate with healthcare stakeholders in supporting strategic and clinical implementation, contributing to integrated screening and awareness raising for patients,” said Saad Al Sadhan, Regional Director of Boston Scientific in Saudi Arabia.

“As a global leader in minimally invasive technologies, we will also share global best practices in vascular care and explore opportunities to support knowledge exchange and professional upskilling across the Kingdom.”

The initiative comes as Boston Scientific continues to expand its presence across the Middle East and Africa region, where the company recently reported strong growth in cardiovascular and vascular intervention technologies.

Through improved screening, earlier referrals, and stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, Walk Safe aims to help more patients preserve mobility, avoid preventable complications, and access timely treatment for diabetic foot disease.