Partners drilled on Quality Clubfoot Management
The Director in Charge of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Nko Ayissi George has underlined the importance of clubfoot management in Cameroon stating the commitment of the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) in ensuring that children born with clubfoot are treated. He was speaking during a 4 day workshop in Limbe Southwest Region recently organized for 33 Physiotherapy staff and Orthopedic surgeons organized by the Cameroon Clubfoot Care (CCC) Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The workshop, which brought together participants from clubfoot clinics in 6 regions of Cameroon aimed at improving capacities for quality clubfoot management using the Ponseti method. The workshop was organized in two sessions: one, to handle the basic course for beginners and the second, an advanced course for those already practicing the Ponseti technique.
The beginners were excited to be exposed to clubfoot treatment skills for the first time given that some of them have received clubfoot cases in their clinics but lacked the skills to handle them. The training also offered an opportunity for it advanced learners to improve knowledge on handling more complicated clubfoot cases that come to their clinics.
While handling one of the workshop modules, Dr. Ayissi exposed participants to the situation of clubfoot in Cameroon. According To him, the training of health care providers and Physiotherapy staff on early identification and treatment is very significant in reducing the incidence of clubfoot in Cameroon. He emphasized that the Ponseti method is the gold standard approved by the MOH.
The lead facilitator and Clinical Supervisor of CCC Project, Dr. Henry Ndasi schooled participants on the approach and management of neglected and complex clubfoot. Taking the participants through a practical session, he noted that best treatment outcomes can only be guaranteed if clients are referred to clinics with more experienced staff.
During the workshop, the Coordinator of the (CCC) Project, Mr. Tamon James provided participants with orientation on reporting, an important compliance requirement from the funders, CBM.
It is worth mentioning that in December 2019, a Ministerial decision approved the Ponseti method as the gold standard for the treatment of clubfoot in Cameroon and in January 2020, the Minister of Health gave national directives on the treatment of clubfoot using the Ponseti method. Thus, the current phase of clubfoot service delivery in Cameroon is implemented within the framework of the Ministerial decision.
The Cameroon Clubfoot Care Project implement its activities, thanks to support from CBM.