Health experts have told participants at a training forum that untreated clubfoot is one of the leading causes of physical disability globally.
The forum was between health authority secretaries of the 17 local governments of Abia State and the Straight Foot Foundation in Umuahia, the state capital.
Resource persons Mr Bright Amadi and Dr Uche Oluwatosin said of the estimated 10,000 cases of people with clubfoot in the country, 80 percent of them don’t have access to proper treatment.
They blamed the development on the lack of awareness, poverty and negative stereotypes, calling for referral to the 16 centres or hospitals where there is ongoing treatment for clubfoot.
The duo further explained that the centres and hospitals are located in the South East and South-South states and Kogi State in North Central.
Other highlights were testimony by Mrs Chinaza Ugwu, whose son was successfully treated for clubfoot, and contributions to strengthening surveillance and early detection.
In a remark, the executive secretary of the State Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Kalu Ulu-Kalu, assured of their partnership with the foundation to create awareness of the disease.
Earlier, the foundation’s vision bearer, Dr Peace Amaraegbulam, said the forum aimed to produce accurate data on clubfoot in the state.
She said the free treatment for clubfoot in the state by the foundation is in collaboration with Miracle Faith and in line with the Run-free 2030 Initiative.
