From TCNEWS
A Nongovernmental Organization that handles cases of Clubfoot known as The Straight Child Foundation, TSCF has identified a 5-month-old child with unilateral clubfoot.
The discovery was made at Akwakuma Autonomous Community, Owerri-North LGA, Imo State, during the Clubfoot awareness campaign at Akwakuma community and environs, embarked by the Foundation.
Speaking in Oha hall in Akwakuma before referring the child to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, for follow-up, and enrolment at their next clinic, the TSCF Project Supervisor, Mr Bright Amadi, said that the Foundation embarked on the campaign to extend awareness on Clubfoot to Akwakuma community and environs.
He also disclosed that the awareness campaign was also aimed at strengthening collaboration with other healthcare providers within the target community and its environs for the early detection and referral of children with clubfoot to the designated treatment center in the state, for timely and quality treatment for the children.
Correcting some wrong notions about the deformity as held in most communities, the Miraclefeet country Program Coordinator, Mr. Uchenna Egbe-Eni, who further described clubfoot, its causes, types and treatment, pointed out that access to its treatment in the state is free as supported by Miraclefeet Inc, provided it was detected between 0 – 5 years.
Responding, the son of the Traditional Ruler of Akwakuma Autonomous Community, Owerri-North LGA, Imo State, Prince Kelechi Egwunwoke, who also represented the Royal father assured the team to take the information passed to his father, and to persuade him to extend the information to his colleagues at their meetings.
Also speaking, Mrs Onuegbu Rufina, Officer In-Charge of Akwakuma Health Center, expressed the commitment of the healthcare providers towards identification and referral of children with clubfoot to treatment center at the Federal University Teaching Hospital FUTH Owerri.
The TSCF/FUTH Owerri team – Miracle Anele; Zoe Placid; and Kenneth Igwe; Chief Paschal Anele, President General of Akwakuma Autonomous Community; Mrs. Akudo Victoria Ogbonna, Women Leader of Akwakuma Autonomous Community; Stanfate Ahumareze, Community Youth Leader; 62 Community Residents; 10 Health Workers in Akwakuma Health Centre; and 9 IT Students in Akwakuma Health Centre participated in the exercise.
Meanwhile the TSCF has also in a related development, embarked on a site supervision visit at St Rhema University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State.