From TCNEWS
The Project Supervisor of The Straight Child Foundation, TSCF Mr Bright Amadi, has disclosed that 80 children with congenital clubfoot were enrolled in the month of July and commenced on treatment across the 16 Clubfoot clinics in the 10 states covered by The Straight Child Foundation.
The TSCF Project Supervisor, who briefed our correspondent in Umuahia, Abia State capital on successes recorded in the month of July by The Straight Child Foundation, also revealed that over 70 percent of the children were below the age of 12 months.
TSCF is a registered, nonprofit, non-governmental organization, with a focus on childhood disabilities and deformities especially Cerebral Palsy and Clubfoot.
The Foundation which also organize holistic outreaches, started in partnership with MiracleFeet Inc in July 2018 and currently supports 16 clinics.
The Clinics include: Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, August 2018; University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, August 2019; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, August 2019; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State, August 2020.
Others are: Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, May, 2021; Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi, January, 2021; Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, November, 2021; Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo, February, 2022; University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, August, 2022; Rhema University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia, February, 2023; University of Nigeria, Nuskka Medical Centre, Enugu, May, 2023; University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River, September, 2023; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara November 2023; Zonal Hospital Okene, December, 2023; and Kabba General Hospital, December 2023.
According to Amadi, the Foundation had maintained an average casting visits of less than 5 per child, before tenotomy, in its efforts to maintain quality in the treatment of clubfoot
According to him, About 81 percent of the children enrolled so far received tenotomy (in line with global standards) as at the end of the month, with less than 5 percent and 4 percent of the children on treatment dropping out at the casting and bracing level, respectively.
“Towards the enhancement of clubfoot Surveillance, Early Detection and Referral of cases for treatment, TSCF organized one (1) session of Early Detection and Referral training each for health workers at the Primary Health Care level in Okigwe and Onuimo L.G.As of Imo State”, Amadi further revealed.
Also briefing our correspondent, a member of the TSCF and the Miraclefeet country Program Coordinator, Mr. Uchenna Egbe-Eni said the Foundation would look into more home visitations to reduce frequency of visits and logistics costs for some patients, while continuing to provide transport subsidies to as many patients as its budget can support.
He said that the success recorded in the new enrollments, has been dependent on the Foundation’s collaboration with health workers at the Primary Health Care level, patent medicines vendors, operators of maternity homes and immunization field officers, and the patient referral incentives.
“Our major anchors for maintaining the current average number of casts range has been trainings and re-trainings for Care Providers, joint case reviews and recommendations during site supervisory supportive visits, and improved parents’ education.
“We have continued to maintain global standard in tenotomy rate, following Sustained persuasions of the Clinic Coordinators for maximum offering of tenotomy”, Egbe-Eni explained.
On the bracing dropout rate, he explained further that the Foundation has maintained intensified tracking and follow-up of patients, home visitations, and tele-reviews for selected patients.
He also said that the Foundation would not relent in its search for opportunities to support parents, with income generating activities through government or other funded interventions.
According to him, TSCF would extend the refresher trainings to more of the initially trained team members across the older clinics, to enhance the quality-of-service delivery.