Pepito Tiña's first wound healed slowly, and then a second – the result of stepping on a screw at work – got worse.
Luckily, that was when Ruth Peñero, a village health worker, arrived at his door. She told him about a new service, Diabetes and Heart Day, offered every Friday at a health centre near his home. He could receive care for his foot there and learn how to manage his diabetes and prevent further injuries.
Pepito’s quiet dedication to his own care quickly made him a staff favourite. His foot quickly improved, as did the blood glucose levels recorded in his journal.
“I was scared, but the people here helped me overcome my fears,” Pepito says. “I learned how to eat better and care for my foot. Before, it was a massive wound. Now it feels better.”