Battling clubfoot in infants: A Push for early detection and treatment

By Bridget Nsimenta

Clubfoot, a congenital deformity that causes one or both feet to twist inward and downward, affects thousands of infants in Uganda each year.

If left untreated, this condition can lead to severe disability, but with early intervention, affected children can lead healthy, active lives.

In Uganda, approximately 1 in every 1,000 live births is affected by clubfoot. While not life-threatening, the condition significantly impacts a child’s mobility and overall quality of life.

Untreated clubfoot can hinder a child’s ability to walk, access education, and may result in social stigma, particularly in rural areas where the condition is often misunderstood.

Early detection and treatment are crucial. The Ponseti method, a widely recognized non-invasive approach to correcting clubfoot, involves gently manipulating and casting the foot over several weeks.

This method has proven highly effective, especially when started within the first few months of a child's life.

In Uganda, organisations like the Uganda Clubfoot Project (UCP) and CURE Children’s Hospital in Mbale are at the forefront of providing this critical treatment, often free of charge to families in need.

However, despite the availability of effective treatment, many Ugandan infants with clubfoot go untreated due to a lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, and limited access to healthcare services in remote areas.

Some parents may not recognize the condition or may believe it is a curse or punishment, deterring them from seeking medical help.

To address these challenges, healthcare providers, NGOs, and government initiatives are intensifying efforts to educate communities about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Radio campaigns, community outreach programs, and training for local health workers are all part of a coordinated effort to ensure that no child in Uganda has to suffer from untreated clubfoot.

The impact of these efforts is already being felt. More parents are bringing their children to health centers for treatment, and the stigma surrounding the condition is gradually being eroded.

As awareness grows, the hope is that every child born with clubfoot in Uganda will have access to the care they need to walk, run, and thrive.

The battle against clubfoot in Uganda continues, but with sustained commitment from all sectors, the future looks brighter for these children and their families.