In her speech read by Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, Hon. Anifa Kawooya advocated for developing a strategic plan between the Ministry and its partners to guide the treatment, guidance, and research of Clubfoot disease in Uganda.
According to Hon. Kawooya, successful clubfoot treatment requires collective responsibility from both health workers and the community. This approach aims to prevent situations where fathers abandon their children and blame the mothers for the condition.
“Prevention starts with accessing the right information as early as before the first birthday of both girls and boys. Parents with children having Clubfoot need information to empower them to make the right choices,” she emphasized.
The Minister made these remarks during the commemoration of World Clubfoot Day held at Mulago National Referral Hospital on Thursday.
Clubfoot, also known as talipes equinovarus (TEV), is a common foot abnormality where the foot points downward and inward, the arch is increased, and the heel is turned inward.
Held under the theme “Every Child Deserves a Healthy Start: Bridging Gaps in Congenital Anomalies Care in Uganda,” the Health Ministry also advocated for a multi-sectoral approach to caring for children with Clubfoot. This approach aims to ensure that they are treated, rehabilitated, and integrated into society.
“Everyone has to contribute towards corporate and private partnerships to address the burden of clubfoot,” highlighted the Minister.
Latest statistics from the Health Ministry indicate that about 2,000 children are born with this abnormality annually in Uganda. This condition is present at birth and involves the foot and lower leg.
Experts in the health field note that this condition, often appearing when a mother has too little amniotic fluid during pregnancy, can be diagnosed early if the affected child reports to the nearest health facility.
Recognizing the contribution of different stakeholders, Mulago Hospital Executive Director Rosemary Byanyima emphasized the need for publicizing the causes and prevention of Clubfoot to reduce the burden at their clinic.
“I’m happy that MUJHU is expanding their research to establish the prevalence and distribution of Clubfoot so that we know its origins. We need to work towards preventing conditions that are preventable,” Byanyima noted.
The Executive Director further pledged that Mulago will continue to host, support, and train health workers at institutions that cater to congenital anomalies countrywide, making them more available and accessible to patients.
Representing the Buganda Kingdom, Minister of Health David Muwonge pledged that the kingdom will use their media to create awareness about the disease burden.
Since congenital anomalies silently affect many, the Kingdom promised to develop a concept to interest the King in making this issue a theme for his maiden birthday run.
Dr. Gonzaga Waiswa, the lead Clubfoot specialist at Mulago Hospital, called upon the community to be vigilant in identifying patients and sending them to the facility for treatment.
The celebrations were organized in partnership with Walimu, MUJHU, Miracle Feet, and the Ministry of Health.
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