Uganda
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MiracleFeet works in partnership with Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Uganda (CoRSU) Hospital in 21 clinics across Uganda to raise awareness about clubfoot treatment, provide supplies, and conduct training and mentoring programs.
Uganda was the first country in the world to start a national clubfoot program based on public health principles. Started in 1999, the program received funding from Rotary clubs around the world. The Canadian government also helped fund the program’s expansion and encouraged additional research on effective clubfoot treatment. However, when the Canadian funding ran out, the program encountered difficulties. Several clinics stopped treating clubfoot and others faced serious challenges due to lack of provider training, supportive supervision, and supplies. Parents of children in treatment had to buy their own supplies, including abduction braces, which caused the dropout rate to skyrocket.
In 2017 MiracleFeet stepped in to reenergize the national program. Much of the previous program’s infrastructure still existed which helped expedite growth. The Uganda program utilizes many trainings which were originally developed in neighboring Tanzania, such as parent education and supportive supervisor. The African Clubfoot Training (ACT) curricula was very well-received in Uganda and several skilled ACT trainers are providing training throughout West Africa. The CAST smartphone system for data collection was introduced in Uganda in 2018 and is an extremely useful tool to store patient data, track treatment progress, and monitor clinic performance. Most clubfoot clinics in the country are in government hospitals and the Ministry of Health provides the space and the staff.
Media Coverage
Burden of Untreated Clubfoot Expected to Rise – MOH
Clinics
