Identification, Referral of Clubfoot Cases to intensify in Health Facilities in NW Region
Some 20 staff including nurses, midwives and a doctor selected from 14 health facilities with high delivery rates and infant welfare clinic attendance in the Northwest Region have been trained on early detection and referral of clubfoot. They were trained in a one-day workshop organized by the Cameroon Clubfoot Care Program (CCCP) at the Baptist Center Nkwen on October 31, 2024.
The aim of the workshop was to equip these cadres of health workers who always come in contact with newborns to easily identify and refer clubfoot cases for treatment given that early detection and referral after birth is essential for timely treatment of children born with the deformity.
The training was coordinated by the National Coordinator of the CCCP, Mr. Tamon James who told participants that their role in identifying and referring children with clubfoot for treatment to the specialised treatment centers is key in influencing uptake of services by children with the deformity thereby preventing permanent disabilities resulting from the condition.
Presenting an overview of the Cameroon Clubfoot Care Program, the National Coordinator told participants that the Program supported by Hope and Healing International implements activities in 75 health districts in 6 regions (Northwest, Southwest, Center, Littoral, West and Adamawa) of Cameroon with more than 22 specialised treatment centers. He disclosed that the Program focuses on awareness raising, capacity development, treatment and stakeholder engagement.
The Lead Facilitator of the workshop, Mr. Fointama Amos a clubfoot treatment therapist from the Nkwen Baptist Hospital treatment clinic, presented on early detection and referral during which he defined the deformity and explained its treatment option. The aim was to make participants know the difference between clubfoot and other deformities for easy identification and referrals of clubfoot cases for treatment.
Mr. Fointama told participants that clubfoot, which makes the child’s foot stiff, is present at birth with the feet twisted inwards and downwards. He explained that the Ponseti technique used in treating the deformity is a non-surgical method and is 95% effective. The Clubfoot treatment therapist encouraged the participants to go back and help educate parents of children identified with clubfoot on the condition, assure them of the efficacy of treatment and always refer them immediately they are identified.
On her part, the Child Protection and Child Safeguarding Officer, Mrs. Boyo Maurine told the participants that treatment is an inherent right of children with clubfoot to be treated and that identifying and referring clubfoot cases is contributing in fostering the respect of the rights of these children.
At the end of the workshop, the CCCP National Coordinator thanked the participants for indicating interest in the treatment of children with clubfoot through their attendance and active participation during the workshop.
The Bamenda training was the fourth of six trainings planned in the six regions covered by the program coming after those organised in the South West, West and Adamawa Regions. Those for the Center and Littoral Regions will be held in the days ahead.
It is expected that after this workshop more children born with clubfoot will be identified and referred.
The Cameroon Clubfoot Care Program is implemented by the CBC Health Services in collaboration with the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health.
