In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, Tyson Franklin is joined by Usama Unwar and his wife Zahra Chouthy, founders of Podiatry For All in Mauritius. This conversation delves into their journey from the UK to Mauritius, their experiences setting up a podiatry clinic on the island, and Mauritius’s unique cultural and healthcare landscape.
It’s a lively discussion that touches on their professional challenges and the beauty of multicultural Mauritius.
The Journey to Mauritius
From the UK to Mauritius: Zahra, originally from Mauritius, and Usama, from Pakistan, both studied in the UK, where they met while pursuing their respective studies. Zahra was studying podiatry, a field she discovered due to personal health issues, while Usama was studying accounting and finance. After years of Zahra avoiding Usama’s advances, they eventually connected, married, and had a daughter. They decided to move to Mauritius on a whim, driven by the desire for a change in lifestyle and career opportunities.
Mauritius Through Fresh Eyes: Usama shares how Zahra initially gave him a rather negative impression of Mauritius, but he was pleasantly surprised when they arrived. He describes the country as a multicultural haven with beautiful landscapes, diverse foods, and a warm, friendly population. Moving from London to Mauritius, Usama found it a safe and welcoming place with a unique mix of languages and traditions.
Starting Podiatry For All
The Demand for Podiatry in Mauritius: Mauritius, with a population of around 1.3 million people, has only a handful of podiatrists, creating a significant demand for quality foot care. Usama and Zahra noticed this gap and set out to establish Podiatry For All, aiming to make podiatric care accessible and affordable, especially for those who may not typically be able to afford it.
Navigating Healthcare and Referrals: Zahra explains the challenges of practising podiatry in Mauritius, where podiatry is still relatively unknown and underdeveloped. Many healthcare providers retain patients rather than refer them to specialists, leading to delayed treatments for some conditions. Zahra and Usama have been working hard to educate the local medical community and the public about the importance of podiatric care, particularly for diabetes-related foot complications.
Cultural and Professional Challenges
The Language Barrier and Multiculturalism: Mauritius is a multicultural society with languages including Creole, French, English, and even Hindi and Urdu. While Zahra, a Mauritian native, is comfortable with the local languages, Usama is still learning. The language diversity adds a layer of complexity but also allows them to serve a broader population.
Working with Limited Resources: In Mauritius, the healthcare infrastructure for podiatry is still developing, meaning Zahra and Usama often face challenges due to limited resources and a lack of professional support. Zahra describes how, despite the progress made, there is still a need for better teamwork, similar to what she experienced in the UK. She often consults her former lecturers in the UK when she encounters complex cases.
Making Podiatry Accessible
Balancing Profit with Community Service: The couple strives to keep their services affordable. Zahra and Usama emphasize that their primary goal is not to maximise profits but to break even while making a meaningful impact. Their clinic charges modest fees and occasionally offers discounted or free services to those in need, particularly elderly patients with limited pensions.
Community Outreach on Rodrigues Island: In a unique initiative, Zahra and Usama organised a community outreach program on Rodrigues, a remote island under Mauritian jurisdiction, where medical facilities are scarce. Over two days, Zahra provided consultations to nearly 90 patients, many of whom had no other access to podiatric care. This experience highlighted the need for accessible healthcare in remote areas and reinforced their commitment to community service.
Future Plans for Podiatry in Mauritius
Building a Sustainable Practice: While running a podiatry clinic in Mauritius has been challenging, Usama and Zahra are optimistic. They are currently recruiting an additional podiatrist to help manage the workload, particularly for procedures like nail surgery, which only a few podiatrists in Mauritius perform. They also plan to continue their outreach efforts and explore more ways to educate the Mauritian population about foot health.
Long-Term Vision: Usama and Zahra are committed to staying in Mauritius for the foreseeable future. They enjoy the slower-paced lifestyle and feel it’s a good place to raise their daughter. However, Zahra admits that if their daughter chooses to study abroad, she may follow her to ensure family closeness.
Contact Information
For those interested in learning more or connecting with Zahra and Usama, they can be reached at:
- Email: podiatryforall.mauritius@gmail.com
- Facebook: Podiatry For All
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