South Africa: Diabetes - From Suspected Sefola to Amputation - the Foot Sore That Cost a Leg
[Health-e] A North West man lost his leg after treating a diabetic foot ulcer with traditional remedies. Diabetes can cause foot wounds that heal slowly and can develop into serious infections. Early medical treatment of diabetic foot ulcers can help prevent amputations.
Themba Sepeng, a 54-year-old man from Klipgat in the North West Province, lost his leg after treating a diabetic foot ulcer with traditional remedies. According to Health-e News, Sepeng first developed a blister under his left foot in 2021 and sought care at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, though he stated doctors did not explain the cause.
When a similar wound appeared on his toe in 2022, friends suggested the sores were "sefola," a term in Setswana and Sepedi culture for severe, non-healing wounds believed to be caused by supernatural forces or witchcraft.
Following this advice, Sepeng chose traditional methods over medical treatment. AllAfrica Health reports that diabetes can cause foot wounds that heal slowly and may develop into serious infections, noting that early medical intervention for such ulcers can help prevent amputations.
Brief written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health, Health-e News — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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