From Anganwadis to Doorsteps: Why Localized Awareness in Gujarat is the Key to an India Free from Clubfoot Disability
In the vibrant city of Jamnagar, Gujarat, the mission to eradicate disability caused by clubfoot is being won one home visit at a time. Recently, our dedicated team member took to the streets, visiting four Anganwadi centres and multiple families to ensure that the message of healing reaches the most remote corners of the community. At CURE India, we understand that for a parent in a rural or semi-urban area, the sight of a child born with feet turned inward can be a source of immense fear and confusion. By meeting families where they are, we are not just providing medical information; we are providing a lifeline of hope and a pathway to a future defined by mobility rather than limitation.
The outreach in Jamnagar was built on three critical objectives that serve as the foundation of our national presence. First, we focus on Early Identification, educating parents and Anganwadi workers to recognize clubfoot immediately at birth. Second, we emphasize the Importance of Timely Referral, ensuring that the child reaches a specialized clinic within the first few weeks of life, when the body is most responsive to non-surgical treatment. Finally, we provide guaranteed Access to Free Treatment, reaffirming that through CURE India, world-class care is available at no cost to the family, regardless of their economic background.
The reason we advocate so strongly for "Early Action" is rooted in the medical brilliance of the Ponseti method. Recognized globally as the gold standard, this non-surgical approach has a success rate of over 95% when started early.
The treatment involves a series of gentle manipulations and corrective plaster casts that gradually move the foot into the correct position. This is followed by a maintenance phase using a FAB (Foot Abduction Brace). The FAB is essential to prevent relapse, ensuring the child can eventually walk, run, and play just like their peers. By providing these specialized braces and expert clinical care for free, we ensure that financial hardship never stands in the way of a child's first steps.
As the largest clubfoot program in the world, CURE India has achieved the distinction of having the most number of clubfoot children treated globally. Our commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate care has earned us a place among the Top 10 NGO's in India/in the country. For our donors and supporters, we maintain an unwavering standard for the transparency of fund usage and credibility. We believe that every Donation is a sacred trust placed in us to create a lasting social impact. By operating over 460 clinics in partnership with government health systems, we ensure that your support directly funds the medical supplies, braces, and trained coordinators needed to change a child’s life forever.
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 Delhi to the grassroots level in districts like Jamnagar. By intensifying our national presence and strengthening our partnerships with state governments, 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.
A clubfoot-free India is not just a dream—it is a goal within our reach. Whether you are a medical professional, a student, or a member of the general public, you can play a vital role in this transformation.
The visits to the Anganwadi centres in Jamnagar remind us that awareness is the first step toward healing. Together, let’s ensure that every child’s future is defined by their potential, not by a treatable disability.
Together, we make hope walk.
Site by NWD.