Tanzania
Our work
Tanzania is one of MiracleFeet’s largest country programs with the most clinics. Clubfoot providers in Tanzania were first trained in 2008 by leaders in the global movement in treating clubfoot with the Ponseti Method. Despite the training, providers found it difficult to obtain national coverage for clubfoot treatment largely due to lack of materials in public hospitals and the cost of treatment and associated transportation expenses.
Partners
MiracleFeet has partnered with different organizations in Tanzania starting with the Bugando Clubfoot Care Program (BCCP) in 2013, Usa River Clubfoot Program in 2014, Tanzania Clubfoot Care Organization (TCCO)in 2015, and Management and Development for Health (MDH) in 2023.
MiracleFeet’s current partner is the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation (BMF), a national non-profit trust founded in 2006 to strengthen Tanzania’s health system and expand equitable access to quality healthcare, with a particular focus on undeserved populations across all 26 regions and 197 districts of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Since its founding, BMF has recruited, deployed, and supported over 13,000 health professionals and manages more than 5,800 active community health workers, with strong partnerships with the Mainland and Zanzibar Ministries of Health and PO-RALG. By investing in community health workers, facility-based teams, and digital health systems, BMF creates an enabling environment where clubfoot services can be embedded within routine MNCH and primary health care structures. Through this strategic framework, BMF is well-positioned to scale a high-quality, nationally aligned clubfoot program that improves mobility, reduces disability, and contributes to long-term child well-being across Tanzania.
MiracleFeet provides support to clinics in the Lake and Central zone, the Southern Highlands, Coast and Northern Zones. Support includes ensuring clinics have enough treatment supplies, providers receive appropriate training and supervision, and early detection and referral pathways are effective. All clinics provide early detection and referral trainings for staff in health centers, vaccination centers, nursing and midwifery schools, and maternity wards in their area.
Tanzania is a large country with many remote areas that are difficult to access. Parents often must travel long distances on bad roads to find treatment for their children making it especially difficult to remain motivated. To improve access to treatment, MiracleFeet developed a training that clinic staff provides to parents. The training includes mental and emotional support strategies as well as information about the importance of following the entire treatment process.
