Bridging the Gap: Pune’s Grassroots Outreach Transforms Potential into Mobility

From Village Identification to Clinical Care: How CURE India’s Pune Team is Converting Awareness into Action.

In the mission to achieve a #ClubfootFreeIndia, the most critical moments occur in the field—where a single referral can redefine a child’s entire future. On May 27, 2026, CURE India’s Pune team, led by Mr. Satish Wadkar, demonstrated the power of coordinated grassroots mobilization. By bridging the gap between local villages and specialized care centers, the team successfully transformed awareness into immediate medical action.

The Impact of the Pune Field Visit

The strength of CURE India’s model lies in our ability to integrate with existing government health structures. During the visit, a new child with CTEV (clubfoot) was successfully identified in Darumbre Village. This was only possible through the seamless referral support provided by the RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) team.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Manisha Gavande, Nodal Officer, Maval, whose leadership and collaboration were instrumental in securing this referral. By ensuring that identification is followed immediately by clinical support, we guarantee that children begin the Ponseti method—the global gold standard for clubfoot—in their most critical developmental months.

Mobilizing the Frontline: Empowering 63 ASHA Workers

Awareness is the bedrock of our RunFree2030 vision. In a series of intensive sessions at PHC Khadkala, Kamshet, and PHC Karla, our team connected with 63 ASHA workers. These frontline warriors are the primary observers of infant health, and by equipping them with the knowledge to identify clubfoot early, we ensure that no child in the Pune region remains untreated due to a lack of information.

The success of these sessions was supported by Block Facilitators Mrs. Rupsli Sutar, Mrs. Tejashree, and Mrs. Vandana Dalvi. Together, they:

• Educated participants on the early signs of clubfoot.
• Distributing vital awareness materials across RH Kanhe Phata and PHC Karla.
• Secured information on 4 additional suspected cases, who are now in the pipeline for immediate confirmation and Free Treatment support at MIMER Hospital.

A Proven Model for National Success

As one of the Top 10 NGO’s in India, CURE India is recognized for our clinical excellence and our radical transparency of fund usage. We operate the largest clubfoot program in the world, ensuring our national presence reaches the most remote villages.

Gratitude and The Road Ahead

The collaborative success in Pune is a testament to what we can achieve when we work as one ecosystem. We thank Dr. Nitin Waghmare and all the dedicated healthcare staff who continue to stand with us.

How You Can Help:

1. Donate: Your donation directly funds the casting materials and high-quality FAB (Foot Abduction Braces) that allow these identified children to walk. Support the mission at cure.org.in/donate.
2. Volunteer: Join our outreach efforts to help us scale awareness in your district.
3. Advocate: Every child treated is a success story. Help us share these stories to dismantle the stigma that keeps families from seeking help.

Together, we are moving forward toward #RunFree2030, ensuring that every child in India has the chance to walk, run, and dream without the limitations of a treatable physical disability.