From TCNEWS
National Orientation Agency’s Chief Orientation and Mobilization Officers, COMOs have been enjoined to sensitize the grassroots on the remedy for Clubfoot, especially when detected earlier.
The State Director, NOA, Mrs. Regina Iroha, who gave the advice during the CLUBFOOT SENSITIZATION PROGRAM organized by THE STRAIGHT CHILD FOUNDATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MIRACLEFEET, at the NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY, NOA, ABIA STATE HEADQUARTERS.
She highlighted that the last advocacy visit by the Foundation, made them to understand that Clubfoot is treatable, and that Cerebral Palsy, CP should not be a limitation, as anyone with CP could still live a life beyond limits.
Iroha, who further acknowledged that the prior visit of TSCF gave them great insight into the foundation’s vision and mission, as well as created the awareness about Clubfoot and Cerebral Palsy, advised the COMOs to deliver on their laurels as agents of change and hope, even as she made known her intentions to do a comprehensive report to the National headquarters about the programme.
Earlier in a lecture, Mr. Uchenna Egbe-Eni, from The Straight Child Foundation, who underscored that TSCF has two thematic areas of specialty, namely: Cerebral Palsy and Clubfoot, gave a comprehensive explanation of Clubfoot, its types, causes, stages of treatment, and effect of untreated clubfoot.
Making known to the NOA staff, the Clinic contacts where Clubfoot patients could access free comprehensive treatment across Abia state, Mr. Egbe-Eni, also drew the attention of the participants to the Ponseti method of Clubfoot treatment, which he said, has over 80 percent success rate.
Mr. Egbe-Eni,who is also the Miraclefeet country Program Coordinator, went a step further to highlight that clubfoot could also be detected right from the womb of a pregnant woman with the assistance of medical technology.
According to him, clubfoot is a deformity, but if not treated, it becomes a disability.
“Our consultation is without protocols. Patients’ folders are kept with the Foundation for easy assessment. Also Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and Rhema Clinic, Aba, are our main catchment areas for clubfoot treatment in Abia state’, Egbe-Eni disclosed, as he revealed to the 36 participants that the popular footballer, Mr. Steven Gerrard had clubfoot at birth, but it was treated.
He also said that the Foundation has a follow-up app that reminds her when to reach out to those whose children had gone through the corrective phase.
Responding respectively, the Chief Orientation and Mobilization Officer (COMO) Ikwuano L.G.A, Mr. Wokocha Chinedum; Mr. Ndubuisi Anozie; Mr. Uhuoba Chimaroke from Ugwunagbo L.G.A, among other participants across the 17 Local Government Areas, promised to take the message home and deliver on their assignment.
Mr. Orji Victor, NOA Deputy Director, also attended the workshop.