CBM helps to eliminate clubfoot in Rwanda

2000 children avoid severe disability in a two year period.

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All babies in Rwanda with clubfoot are now being identified and treated, according to CBM, the overseas disability charity. CBM is celebrating this remarkable achievement to highlight the fact that it helped 25 million people with all kinds of disabilities during 2010.

This historic result has been accomplished due to the introduction of the Ponseti treatment by CBM, with its partners throughout Rwanda, and featured in the work of CBM Orthopaedic Consultant, Steve Mannion, who was the subject of an episode of “Superdoctors” on BBC1 presented by Lord Robert Winston.  Ponseti is a manipulative technique that corrects congenital clubfoot without invasive surgery. This innovative method is named after its pioneer Dr Ignacio Ponseti (1914-2009). 

A child is born with clubfoot every five minutes in low-income countries.  Most commonly, clubfoot occurs when the normal position of the foot points downwards and inwards.  “When cases are left untreated, conditions are so severe that the patients’ soles are facing the sky as they walk on the dorsum of each foot. Every step is painful,” said Dr Bill McAllister, CEO, CBM UK.

The part of the foot walked on may become infected and the entire leg is often unable to grow as it should. Painful arthritis may also develop.

Dr McAllister added: “CBM’s results are showing that virtually all babies in Rwanda are now being identified and treated. This remarkable feat has been achieved through investing in people. CBM has trained the trainers”.

This has been achieved as a result of a strategic partnership between three organisations: CBM, Cure International (CURE) and the Ponseti International Association (PIA).

“Based on our success in Malawi in applying the Ponseti method, we are introducing it into other developing countries.  It is more effective than treating with surgery.  It does not need to be done by doctors; it can be applied by health workers,” said Mr Mannion.

There are estimated to be 2 million children in low income countries with severe or moderate physical disability; with clubfoot being the most common cause. 

Clubfoot is a congenital deformity. In the UK clubfoot occurs in 1 per 1000 births.  In the developing world this can be as much as 6 per 1000. If left untreated it results in severe disability, social stigma and isolation.

CBM has over 100 years of experience of helping people with disabilities or those at risk of disability.  Last year it helped 

25 million people in over 90 developing countries.  Mobility difficulty is the biggest single cause of disability in the developing world.

Untreated clubfoot can often mean children go uneducated.  They would find it difficult or impossible to walk to school and employment prospects are poor.

The challenge now is to do this in every under-resourced country in which CBM is involved, and to make these programmes sustainable. 

In 2011 CBM aims to have eradicated all new cases of neglected Clubfoot. Its sights are set on Burundi and the DRC in 2011 to continue this life-changing programme.

The project consists of four core components:

1. Training of trainers in the Ponseti method of clubfoot care- professionals in orthopaedic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, orthotic* technology and related fields.

2. Development of a knowledge and data management support base for sustaining the programme.

3. Mobilisation and treatment of children with clubfoot.

4. The treatment of older children with neglected clubfoot.

* The technology behind making splints and braces.

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Press enquiries: Viv Ayas or Clare Rice on Tel: 01223 484700 or Viv Ayas mobile: 07792 323074