A major intervention by the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in providing free clubfoot diagnostics and treatment for children under five has been a huge success in Kumasi.
Over seventy families flocked to the Kwadaso SDA Hospital for two days, eager to give their children diagnosed with clubfoot a chance at a better future.
The intervention under a partnership with Brazza International Foundation, Hope Walks, and The Multimedia Group, also provided hands-on training and outreach aimed at dismissing myths surrounding clubfoot and heightening awareness levels.
The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) brought joy and renewed hope to many families across the Ashanti Region at the Kwadaso SDA Hospital in addressing the congenital condition that affects approximately 1,000 children in Ghana each year.
Clubfoot is a condition where a baby’s foot is twisted downward and inward, which many families attribute to spiritual causes, leading to social exclusion and delayed medical intervention.
The outreach and training program aimed to break these barriers by offering free treatment to correct clubfoot.
The program offered training sessions for professionals, equipping them with the skills and up-to-date knowledge to diagnose and treat clubfoot effectively.
CHAG, with support from Hope Walks, has been championing interventions in this field, establishing clinics in various hospitals across Ghana and successfully treating over 8,000 children since the programme’s inception in 2008.
Programs Manager at the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Nana Akua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, says the program falls within their mandate to save lives and reach the marginalized in communities.
She says CHAG and its partners are committed to raising awareness and providing care for the underprivileged.
“The impact of this intervention is what we care about. The mission of CHAG, particularly about caring for clubfoot for free is clear. The project has been successful. It doesn’t stop here, all partner hospitals will still roll out the intervention,” she said.
The event assembled local and international orthopedic experts on clubfoot, who facilitated the effective care process.
The success of the program exceeded as parents and other children with orthopedic conditions also tapped into the free diagnostics to receive treatment.
Director of Technical Support for Hope Walks, Erin Williams, lauded the idea of free treatment that consolidated support from partners: the Ghana Health Service, Brazza International Foundation, Hope Walks, and The Multimedia Group to support the lives of children at the seven partner facilities for clubfoot treatment.
“We are just amazed by the partnership and how each branch has committed to amplifying the common goal we all share. Particularly for CHAG, it’s been a wonderful and impactful collaboration,” she said.
The outreach efforts amplified the message that clubfoot is a medical condition and encouraged families to seek help.
Medical Director of Kwadaso SDA Hospital, Dr. Randolph Baah Adu, is pleased with the turnout and absorption of the outreach, as he emphasized the transformative potential of early intervention.
“I believe our outreach went deep, because you can see the active mess and the zeal many parents are here with. I am glad that the very first step of solving clubfoot come with a decision that these parents have made: thus seeking early diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
Parents, guardians and beneficiaries shared stories of hope, as they get treated and watch their children get treated to a more mobile future.
“My son’s legs were becoming fragile, and he couldn’t even stand on it. The Clubfoot symptoms have been confirmed and they have assured that he will be fine. Even I came with malaria but had received free treatment and medication,” a parent said.
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