1,155 clubfoot babies get cost-free treatment in RMCH

Some 1,155 clubfoot babies got cost-free treatment in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) with financial support from Walk for Life Project.RMCH’s Department of Orthopedic has been implementing the project with the main thrust of curing and curbing clubfoot deformities since May 1, 2010. The vision of the Project is to see zero walking clubfoot that means no child born with clubfoot would walk on their deformed foot in Rajshahi mregion.

The Walk for Life Project works to build capacity of local medical personnel on Ponseti method, raise awareness among the population on clubfoot and its treatment and to establish clinics for treatment and rehabilitation.

The observation came at a post-rally discussion here yesterday. Department of Orthopedic and RMCH jointly organized the programme in association with Glenco Foundation to mark the World Clubfoot Day-2018.Doctors, nurses, technicians, patients and their guardians joined the rally and meeting.

RMCH Director Brig Gen Jamilur Rahman, Head of Department of Orthopedic Dr MAK Shamsuddin and its Assistant Professor Dr Obaidul Haque, among others, addressed the meeting.

“Our mission is to leave no clubfoot children untreated below 5 years of age and inclusion of every clubfoot children under treatment within the 1st month of their life and achieve full correction before they start walking,”said Dr Shahmsuddin.

RMCH provides corrective clubfoot treatment using the Ponseti technique for newborn clubfoot babies, which brought fantastic results in last seven to eight years of service.

“We also perform surgery for those who are neglected and disadvantaged.

Whatever the nature of service, we provide it completely free of charge, eventhe foot abduction brace during follow-up,” he added.

Dr Shahmsuddin clarified that the Ponseti method is manipulativetechnique that corrects without congenital clubfoot without invasive surgery.

He told the meeting that more than 21,800 clubfoot babies were brought under ponseti treatment across the country free of cost. The project intends to free the country from obstacle of clubfoot by 2021, reports BSS, Rajshahi.