From Schools to Health Centres: How Local Partnerships in Kolkata are Turning the Tide Against Clubfoot Disability
In the vibrant city of Kolkata, a place known for its rich history and collective community spirit, a quiet but powerful movement is taking place. It is a movement aimed at ensuring that every child born with a treatable disability is given the chance to walk, run, and attend school without limitations. Recently, CURE India team member Ms. Ranita Mondal took to the streets of West Bengal to bridge the gap between medical expertise and community awareness.
By visiting local institutions like Bhudeb Vidya Mandir (Primary) and ICDS Centre–104, CURE India is reinforcing the idea that healthcare doesn’t just happen in hospitals—it begins with the people who interact with children and families every single day.
The first stop on this awareness journey was Bhudeb Vidya Mandir, where Ms. Ranita engaged with Ms. Mousumi Roy. In a school setting, teachers are often the first to notice developmental delays or physical challenges in young children. By sharing critical information about early identification, we empower educators to be the first link in a chain of healing.
Similarly, the visit to ICDS Centre–104 and the interaction with Ms. Krishna Biswas targeted the very foundation of maternal and child health. ICDS centers are the pulse of local communities; they are where mothers go for guidance and where infants receive their first nutritional supports. When frontline workers like Ms. Krishna are equipped with the knowledge to spot clubfoot at birth, the trajectory of a child's life can change in an instant. We extend our sincere thanks to these local champions for their cooperation and commitment to improving child health outcomes.
At the core of these awareness visits is a simple, life-changing message: Clubfoot is 100% treatable. Through the Ponseti method, which is the non-surgical, globally recognized gold standard for clubfoot care, we can correct this condition without invasive surgery.
The treatment involves a series of gentle manipulations and weekly plaster casts that gradually bring the foot into the correct position. This is followed by a vital maintenance phase where the child wears a FAB (Foot Abduction Brace). The FAB ensures the correction is maintained as the child grows, preventing any chance of relapse. Because CURE India provides Free Treatment, we remove the financial burden that often prevents families in West Bengal from seeking the care their children so desperately need.
Our work in Kolkata is part of a much larger story. CURE India is proud to be recognized as one of the Top 10 NGO's in India/in the country. This prestige is a direct result of our credibility and our commitment to the transparency of fund usage. We understand that for every Donation we receive, we have a responsibility to create a measurable social impact.
As the largest clubfoot program in the world, we have achieved the milestone of having the most number of clubfoot children treated globally. Our national presence spans across every state in India, operating in partnership with government hospitals to ensure that world-class care is accessible to all. We don't just provide medical supplies; we provide a dedicated network of coordinators and clinicians who walk with families every step of the way.
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 major urban hubs to the grassroots level in districts across West Bengal. By intensifying our national presence and strengthening our partnerships with local schools and ICDS centers, 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 future where every child in India walks with confidence is within our reach, but it requires the support of the general public, medical professionals, and donors.
The awareness visits in Kolkata are a reminder that when we educate one person, we potentially save the mobility of dozens of children. Together, let’s ensure that every child in West Bengal and across India takes their first steps toward a bright, independent future.
Together, we make hope walk.
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