Eastbourne student and mother ‘inspired’ to open care department

Humeira Parvaiz, a University of Brighton Eastbourne campus student studying podiatry, recognised that Pakistan reportedly has a widespread issue surrounding diabetes and foot complications.

Humeira said she was inspired to help launch the podiatry centre after learning there were no specific podiatry services in Pakistan, despite the huge demand.

She said, “Pakistan reportedly is ranked seventh in the world in regards to the prevalence of diabetes and 50 per cent of amputations and even deaths could have been avoided if early signs of diabetic problems were detected.

“I decided to initiate a proper institute of podiatry in Pakistan that would allow us to have our own podiatrists who are trained to identify foot problems before they get worst or life threatening.”

Humeira said it was an honour to cut the ribbon to open the landmark department in Pakistan – currently being run by two medical officers, a physiotherapist and a diabetic specialist – and once qualified she will be supervising the centre.

Humeira, who is raising a young family, said her journey has been long and sometimes hard.

She said, “It was a tough decision to move to Eastbourne, far away from my family in Birmingham. It has been a struggle but I honestly survived because of the support and help of all my tutors and staff at the University of Brighton’s Eastbourne campus.”

She specifically thanked the principal lecturer in the university’s school of health sciences, Dr Simon Otter, and senior lecturers Rachel Forss and Deborah Whitham.

Humeira said, “They have supported me and helped me in every way possible so I could manage between raising kids on my own and studying.”