About

It was back in 1969 when I returned back from my studies in London Foot Hospital. At the very young age of 21 I have started setting up my first clinic in central Nicosia, Makarios III Avenue. Years which were difficult for a working woman to be recognized, let alone the “peculiarity” of the profession in those times. People were completely unaware of the profession. Medical people also. The effort I had to put in the work was tremendous and the difficulties were very hurting at the time. The medical profession was very negative and generally man regulated. The profession is not included in the education system of Greece and this was and still is a major obstacle for the evolution of the profession.
 

Nevertheless, I have worked hard and informed to the possible extent the medical world regarding the scope of practice of podiatry (chiropody at the time). I have offered my services to the British Military Bases and I have treated patients in old people’s homes and other institutions for years. I have made contacts with the various patients’ associations at the time.

By 1980, I have moved to a different building in Chitron street, again staying in central Nicosia. The place was much bigger and it also had space for a potential second podiatrist.

In 1994 my daughter Diamanto came from her studies as a podiatrist from University of Brighton and joined me. The work evolved in many directions since she came back.
 

Diamanto Maliotou

I grew up with feet, helped my mother all along since childhood, firstly from just causing trouble at the clinic with patients, then being their toy, to help later on with the phone and appointments, later on introduced computers and managed to file her patients before I went for studies when I was 18 in the U.K. University of Brighton.  Came back on the 4th of July 1994 and worked ever since. Podiatry in Cyprus has been struggling since ever and my mother Lenia being the first one had to put up with a lot at the beginning. In 1994, I came back, young, fresh, had the illusion that I will change the world “foot world” to be precise in Cyprus. It has changed a lot, but it has still a long way to go. Podiatry in Cyprus and also podiatry around the world have a long way to go.
 

Casting was something new and even if I have hesitated in the beginning my mother was insisting to do all the new things. I was reluctant. Casting was good. Patients were responding. Footwear compromises were really a very hard job at the beginning, still is but we got used to it. We have been educating people about footwear all these years. I got a bit easier…

Podiatrists were a very small number in Cyprus at the time. Less than five. Gradually new pupils started getting interested.  Nearly all of them passed by our clinic before going for studies. Also Despina did, the podiatrist that joined us in 2007 after graduating from Southampton University.
 

The service of our clinic was updated from the technology point of view in 1999. Firstly, with pressure distribution systems and then with implementing the technology of manufacturing with Cad CAM machines. The custom made orthotic got stronger in Cyprus ever since. Foot forward has set high standards and is also helping with our laboratories other podiatrists that are using the same technology.
 

Parallel to all this, the podiatry society was organized. A project that begun in 2003. More details www.podiatry.org.cy . I have been leading this organization as a president since the beginning until today. In 2004 we moved to our new premises that allowed us to give a much better service to our patients, since we also have a great selection of footwear, a lot of space, new laboratories and new machinery. We are three podiatrists and three people staff. We are growing.

Parallel to my work, I have continued my Masters degree and since then I have been presenting my own work in many international Conferences. Mainly work with Diabetic foot. I have been appointed also as the Cyprus representative of the International Working Group for the Diabetic foot and I am also the treasurer of the International Federation of Podiatrists, www.fipnet.org .
 

After grad uating from high school I decided to study at the University of Southampton at the School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences to become a Podiatrist.

After the completion of the course I returned to Cyprus to work as a podiatrist. I joined the Foot Forward team in November 2007. This was a good opportunity as it gave me the chance to work as part of a team and to share ideas with my fellow colleagues.
 

The experience gained by working with the Foot Forward team has been more than what was anticipated. I therefore have the option of exploring other fields of Podiatry and increasing my knowledge in various fields.