A New Chapter of Hope: CURE India and NHM Karnataka Join Forces to Eradicate Clubfoot Disability

Scaling Success in South India: How the New MoU with the Government of Karnataka is Set to Transform Thousands of Young Lives

In a landmark move for public health in South India, CURE India is proud to announce the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health & Family Welfare Services, National Health Mission (NHM), Karnataka. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to ensure that no child in Karnataka is forced to live with the burden of a treatable disability.

By aligning our expertise with the state’s healthcare infrastructure, we are creating a seamless pathway from birth to mobility. This collaboration is not just a formal agreement; it is a promise to every family in Karnataka that their child's first steps are our collective priority.

Building a Robust Referral Ecosystem

The core objective of this MoU is to strengthen the systems of early identification and timely referral. Clubfoot is a congenital condition that is best treated in the first few weeks of life. Through this partnership, we will work closely with government hospitals and primary health centers to ensure that every infant born with clubfoot is identified immediately and guided toward our specialized clinics.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Department of Health & Family Welfare Services and the National Health Mission, Karnataka, for their unwavering commitment to accessible, quality healthcare. We also wish to recognize the tireless efforts of Mr. Ravikumar (RPC, Karnataka) and the entire local CURE India team. Their continuous coordination and dedication to the cause have been the driving force behind this successful collaboration.

The Gold Standard: Excellence through the Ponseti Method

At the heart of our operations in Karnataka is the Ponseti method, the globally recognized, non-surgical gold standard for clubfoot management. By utilizing this evidence-based approach, we can achieve full correction in over 95% of cases, sparing children from invasive and often expensive surgeries.

The treatment process involves:

• Gentle Manipulation and Casting: A series of weekly plaster casts that gradually reposition the foot.
• Minor Procedure (Tenotomy): If required, a small procedure to release the Achilles tendon.
• The FAB (Foot Abduction Brace): Once the foot is corrected, the child is fitted with a FAB. This specialized brace is essential for maintaining the correction as the child grows and preventing any risk of relapse.

Because CURE India provides Free Treatment, we eliminate the financial barriers that often prevent rural and low-income families from seeking help. We believe that a child’s ability to walk should never be determined by their family’s financial status.

A Legacy of Credibility and National Impact

CURE India is proud to be recognized as one of the Top 10 NGO's in India/in the country. This recognition is a reflection of our credibility, our national presence, and our strict adherence to the transparency of fund usage. As the largest clubfoot program in the world, we have achieved the distinction of having the most number of clubfoot children treated globally.

For our donors and partners, this MoU with the Karnataka government is a testament to our systematic and scalable model. When you support CURE India, your Donation goes directly into the field—funding the medical supplies, the FAB braces, and the clinical support that turn a disability into a distant memory.

The Vision: RunFree2030

Our journey toward a clubfoot-free nation is guided by the ambitious and urgent RunFree2030 mission. While we celebrate the fact that CURE India is currently treating 33% of all children born with clubfoot in India, we are acutely aware of the thousands of children who still lack access to care. To bridge this gap, we are aggressively scaling up to reach 70% of children born with clubfoot in the next 5 years. This expansion requires a massive mobilization of resources, from the urban hubs of Bengaluru to the most remote villages of Karnataka. By intensifying our national presence and strengthening our partnerships with state governments through MoUs like this one, we are working toward a future where no child is left behind due to a lack of resources or awareness, ensuring that every infant born with this condition has an equal opportunity to stand tall and walk free by the end of the decade.

How You Can Join the Movement in Karnataka

The signing of this MoU is just the beginning. To reach our 70% target, we need the support of the general public, medical professionals, and compassionate individuals like you.

• Make a Life-Changing Donation: Your support directly funds the casts, the FAB braces, and the clinical training needed for recovery. We guarantee total transparency in how your funds are utilized to create a direct social impact. Donate now at: cure.org.in/donate.
• Volunteer Your Time: We need passionate individuals to help with awareness drives in local communities and to support our clinic coordinators.
• Advocate for Inclusion: Spread the word that clubfoot is curable and that free help is available through CURE India and the National Health Mission.

Together, we are not just signing documents; we are building a future where every child in Karnataka and across India can walk, run, and dream without limits.

Together, we make hope walk.