Bhubaneswar, Feb 11: In a bid to completely and successfully cure the children with disability caused by clubfoot, Odisha Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Tuesday with the CURE International India Trust (CURE India).

Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, was present at the meeting along with Health Secretary Aswathy S, CURE India Director Dr Santhosh George and other dignitaries.

The signing of MoUs was conducted among the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Women and Child Development, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and CURE India.

What to expect from the MoU?

With this, the disability of the child's feet can be treated without surgery. Treatment is usually carried out in two ways -- One is with the help of plaster and the other is a special shoes which has to be worn for five years.

Current scenario of clubfoot in Odisha

Health Minister Mahaling said that currently 6,489 children are undergoing treatment. “The treatment takes around four to five weeks,” stated Mahaling.

“Around 600 new cases are being identified every year. Counselling centres will be opened in every district. In addition, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Anganwadi workers will be given special training,” the Odisha Health Minister said further.

He also informed that the organisation – CURE India – will bear all the cost of the treatment.

What is ‘Clubfoot’?

It is a condition present at birth in which a baby's foot is pointed in and down. The tendons -- tissues connecting the muscles to the bone -- are shorter than usual, pulling the foot out of position.

As per research pieces in public domain, ‘Clubfoot’ is a common foot condition and it can occur in up to 1 in 1,000 babies. The reports also says that most newborns with clubfoot do not have other medical conditions.

Conditions of ‘Clubfoot’

It can be mild to severe and about half of children with clubfoot have it in both feet. If the condition is not treated timely, the child may walk on the side or top of the foot, which can cause a limp, skin sores or calluses, and even the child may not be able to wear shoes.

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