CHAG, Hope Walks introduce free clubfoot treatment at 37 Military Hospital

CHAG, Hope Walks introduce free clubfoot treatment at 37 Military Hospital

Hope Walks in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana, (CHAG) has partnered with the 37 Military Hospital Paediatrics Physio Unit to treat children with clubfoot for free.

It is estimated that over 1,130 children are born with clubfoot every year in Ghana. And the Ghana Clubfoot program has enrolled more than 7,700 children in treatment since it began.

Hope Walks has so far enrolled more than 140,000 kids into clubfoot treatment.

As part of the initiative, CHAG and Hope Walks in partnership with 37 Military Hospital conducted training at the Paediatrics Physio Unit for some selected Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and Nurses on December 16.

The training was aimed at building knowledge and capacity in the Management of Clubfoot using the Ponseti Method.

According to the Programs Manager, of Hope Walks Mrs. Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Christian Health Association of Ghana, CHAG and Hope Walks pairs quality clubfoot treatment with compassionate care from clubfoot clinic Parent Advisors while empowering healthcare workers and counseling parents and caregivers.

She explained that stigmatization of children with clubfoot should be eradicated as a matter of urgency and parents must know that the treatment of clubfoot is free at their five treatment centers including the 37 Military Hospital where transportation allowance is given to vulnerable parents.

She further explained that though the program is offering free treatment for children with clubfoot, it costs not less than $ 800 to treat a child with clubfoot to the bracing stage until the patient is discharged.

For his part, the Acting Medical Director of Hope Walks, Dr. Prosper Moh gave an overview of the project and the treatment process said the Ponseti method of treatment is expedient due to financial constraints on patients.

“We are training health workers to use the method because parents of children who are affected cannot afford the treatment using the Ponseti Method,” Dr. Moh said.

So far, the initiative has treatment centres in the following hospitals; 37 Military Hospital Children Paediatrics Physio Unit, Gbawe SDA, Kwadaso SDA Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital and the St. John of God Hospital, Dwayaw-Nkwanta.

Clubfoot is a birth defect that twists the foot downward and inward. While it cannot be prevented, children born with clubfoot will likely be able to take their first steps on completely straight feet under proper treatment and care.

Hope Walks in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana, (CHAG) has partnered with the 37 Military Hospital Paediatrics Physio Unit to treat children using the gold-standard Ponseti Method of casts and braces.

This minimally invasive procedure uses weekly casts to straighten the feet over several weeks or months. Once straightened, the child wears a brace up to the age of five to ensure the feet don’t relapse.

The Ghana Clubfoot Program began in 2008 as a partnership between CURE International and the Foundation for Orthopedics and Complex Spine. Cure Clubfoot Program was spun off into an independent NGO, Hope Walks. With a strong desire to expand the program, Hope Walks currently operates 5 clinics in Ghana.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LISTEN LIVE: ORIGINAL 91.9FM