Manipal Cure and Care (MCC) is now the master franchisee of the global player and leader in foot care, Foot Solutions Inc., which has presence in 240 outlets world wide. Foot Solutions will now be operational within the existing MCC health and wellness centres in the country. The first such centre will be operational at the MCC, Bandra, Mumbai in the first week of July.

Foot Solutions will treat feet disorders which is a growing problem today in the country. The facility will assess the foot condition and evaluate the status with 2D and 3D scans to identify pressure points to recommend the treatment option.

The key reason for MCC to offer a dedicated facility for foot care was that it identified the gap in the foot care market. Consumers are aware of these services because it is offered in the developed countries. There is also the factor of affordability for going in for premium foot care services which is being introduced in India for the first time. All we can say is that the investment in this project has been substantial, Supriyo Gupta, VP, merchandising and supply chain, MCC told Pharmabiz. No other details were disclosed.

Foot Solutions will be manned by counsellors trained by Foot Solutions and certified as Physical Therapists. Each team will constitute 3 to 4 members. The experts will make a detailed foot evaluation, pedobarometry, foot arch analysis and gait analysis following which the person is provided with a variety of solutions to resolve the specific problem.

Currently, there is a dearth of information about the incidence, but in developed countries it is above 80 per cent. Awareness on healthcare in general and foot care in particular is poor in India just as delivery of healthcare services of any kind. "We expect the market to grow exponentially as awareness of this service grows and potential customers who have been suffering silently all these years get to know of this unique service in India," stated Gupta.

MCC has General practitioners, Diabetologists and Orthopedicians on board who follow a holistic approach. Foot Solutions has a role to play within the spectrum of the services like Diabetes, Vascular disorders, sensory neuropathies to name a few. .The relationship is symbiotic and customers will freely move in either direction, Foot Solutions to medical services within MCC and vice-versa.

In addition to Mumbai, Foot Solutions services will be available in Pune and Bangalore MCC centres in the near future. Future stores will be targeted in all metros and mini-Metros.

Being a premium service by MCC, the offering will be priced keeping in mind the exclusive nature of the service.