Members of the first State level planning meeting on Clubfoot held at Kohima on April 30.
Department of Health & Family Welfare signs MoU with CURE International, India
Dimapur, May 1 (MExN): With the aim to eradicate disability caused by Clubfoot in the State of Nagaland, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on March 25, between the Government of Nagaland, Department of Health & Family Welfare, and CURE International India, New Delhi. CURE International India is functioning in 18 states across the country and so far, a total of about 8000 children born with Clubfoot have been treated.
In India, more than 50,000 children are born with Clubfoot every year, while in Nagaland, an estimated 60-70 children are born with Clubfoot every year. Since the operationalizing of services for the treatment of Clubfoot at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, in September 2012, a total of 7 children born with Clubfoot have been treated, stated a press note issued by NRHM Mission Director, Dr. Khanlo Magh
The cause of Clubfoot is unknown but with early intervention, it can be treated. Children born with Clubfoot are treated with the modern Ponseti Method which is non-surgical and involves a weekly Plaster of Paris casting for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. After the treatment, the children need to wear special shoes fulltime for the first 3 months and then at night-time for the next for 3-4 years.
The first State level planning meeting to eradicate disability caused by Clubfoot was held at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on April 30, 2013, under the Chairmanship of Sentiyanger Imchen, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & FW. The meeting was attended by Dr. Santhosh George G, Director, CURE International India; Rev. Dr. Anjo Keikung, General Secretary, NBCC; Er. Longzong; Dr. Khanlo Magh, Mission Director, NRHM; Dr. Neikhrielie, Medical Superintendent, NHAK; Rontu Sangma, Northeast Co-ordinator, CURE Clubfoot and Tiarenla Jamir, Counsellor, Clubfoot Nagaland. At the meeting, the members resolved to target the treatment of one hundred children born with Clubfoot in the State in the next one year.
In order to give wide publicity and disseminate information to the general public that Clubfoot can be treated, the Nagaland Baptist Council of Churches is partnering with the Government of Nagaland to pass on the information to all its associated and affiliated churches.
The Department of Health & Family Welfare appeals to all parents of children born with Clubfoot in Nagaland to seek and avail free treatment at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima. The Clubfoot clinic at NHAK is open every Tuesday from 9:00 am-12 noon. Information about treatment of the Clubfoot disability can be obtained from the Counsellor through the Clubfoot Nagaland Helpline on all working days, at mobile number: 9615606161.
