The Canadian government spent $15 million on amputations for Native diabetics in Manitoba, a cost that is almost entirely preventable, a health expert said.

Caroline Chartrand of the Diabetes Integration Project said the government won't provide money for foot care programs. "Ninety per cent of amputations are preventable," Chartrand told CBC News. "We need to make changes for foot-care policies because Health Canada doesn't cover footwear for our people."

Chartrand said the cost of amputations in Manitoba will grow to $36 million by 2025 unless the government starts paying for foot care.

Get the Story:
Foot amputations ravage aboriginal diabetics (CBC 12/8)