The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) are calling for greater awareness and investment in foot health to prevent avoidable amputations and improve quality of life for people living with diabetes in the Northern Territory.
Across the NT, Aboriginal people experience some of the highest rates of diabetes and diabetes-related foot disease in the world. The NT also has the highest rate of diabetes-related lower-limb amputation in Australia. Diabetes Feet Australia estimates that the cost of diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) alone to the health system is $1.6 billion annually.
Ahead of Diabetes Feet Day (12 November 2025) and World Diabetes Day (14 November 2025), AMSANT and Congress are launching two new community resources—a foot health promotion brochure and an additional poster—to help people living with diabetes look after their feet and reduce preventable amputations. The resources will be launched at the Strong Feet Community Day, a free community event to mark Diabetes Feet Day on 12 November 2025 at Tamarind Park in Darwin.
They are also urging communities, health professionals and policymakers to prioritise prevention—through regular foot checks as part of the comprehensive health checks offered through Aboriginal community controlled health services, early podiatry care, and access to affordable, good-quality footwear in remote communities.
“Foot care, wearing good footwear, and having regular foot checks annually are vital for people living with diabetes,” said Podiatrist and Strong Feet Project Coordinator, Frances Elcoate.
In response to an unmet need, the Ingke Arntarnte-areme (Looking After Feet) program at Congress and the Strong Feet Project coordinated by AMSANT was established in 2020. They form part of the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foot Complications Program, coordinated by the South Australian Health Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC). The program operates across the Northern Territory, South Australia, the Kimberley region in Western Australia and Far North Queensland.
Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in the Northern Territory and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) is one of the largest ACCHS in the Northern Territory.
ENDS
Media inquiries:
AMSANT – Amy Price, M: 0437 027 156, E: amy@theshapeagency.com.au
Congress – Kate Buckland, M: 0408 741 691, E: kate.buckland@caac.org.au
You can download the PDF version of this media release here.
Feature image: Looking After Feet_ artwork credit: Central Australian Aboriginal Congress