189 ASHA Workers, One Mission: How CURE India is Saturating Rural Maharashtra with Awareness to End Clubfoot Disability
In the vast landscape of the Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, the difference between a life of mobility and a life of disability often begins with a single conversation. While the clinical work happens in hospital wards, the battle against Clubfoot is truly won in the field—at primary health centers, in community meeting halls, and on the doorsteps of rural families.
Recently, CURE India (often known simply as CURE) took a significant step forward in our mission to reach every child in the Akola region. Our Field Manager, Mr. Vivek Kamkare, conducted an extensive day of engagement across Yavatmal, proving once again why CURE is recognized as one of the Top 10 NGO’s in India. By strengthening the ties between medical authorities and frontline workers, we are ensuring that the promise of Free Treatment reaches the furthest corners of the state.
The day began at PHC Sawarghad, where Mr. Kamkare met with Dr. Mangal Pawar. In the journey to eliminate clubfoot disability, the local doctor is a vital gatekeeper. By reinforcing early identification and referral mechanisms at the Primary Health Center level, we ensure that a child identified in a remote village has a direct, clear path to our specialized clinics at PDMC Amravati or GMC Yavatmal.
This level of institutional collaboration is a cornerstone of our national presence. As a Top 10 NGO in the country, our credibility is built on these professional partnerships that bridge the gap between rural health infrastructure and specialized pediatric orthopedic care.
The most impactful segment of the Yavatmal outreach was the series of orientation meetings for ASHA workers. Across four key locations—Sawarghad, Mahagaon, Rajur, and Parwa—a staggering 189 frontline health workers participated in both physical and virtual sessions.
ASHA workers are the heartbeat of community health in India. They are the ones who visit newborns and counsel mothers in their homes. Mr. Kamkare’s sessions focused on:
By empowering these 189 workers, CURE India is effectively creating a massive, localized surveillance system for clubfoot, ensuring no child goes unnoticed.
While data and meetings are essential, the heart of our social impact is found in individual homes. Mr. Kamkare completed home visits in the villages of Khapari and Yerabara. Even when a family is aware of a condition, the fear of the "unknown"—costs, travel, and recovery time—can lead to delays in treatment.
Through empathetic counseling, these families were given hope and have now agreed to visit our clinics for professional care. This personalized follow-up is why CURE India has documented the most number of clubfoot children treated globally. We don't just find cases; we walk with families until the child can run.
For every family we met in Yavatmal, the message was the same: Clubfoot is completely treatable without surgery. We utilize the Ponseti method, the global gold standard for treatment. This involves a series of gentle manipulations and weekly plaster casts.
Crucially, the treatment continues with the FAB (Foot Abduction Brace) to prevent relapse. At CURE India, we understand that for rural families, the cost of medical supplies can be a barrier. That is why we provide everything—from the first cast to the high-quality FAB—for free. Our commitment to Free Treatment is what makes our vision of a disability-free India possible.
CURE India currently manages the largest clubfoot program in the world, having transformed the lives of over 125,000 children. However, our work is driven by an urgent need to reach those still waiting.
Currently, CURE India is treating 33% of children born with clubfoot in India. Our RunFree2030 initiative is our roadmap to bridge the gap. Over the next 5 years, we are scaling up to 70% coverage across the nation. The intensive field engagement in Yavatmal is a perfect example of how we intend to reach that 70% target: by saturating districts with awareness and ensuring that the healthcare system is responsive at every level.
To our donors, medical professionals, and the general public: our success is your success. As a Top 10 NGO, we maintain strict transparency of fund usage. When you make a donation, it goes directly into the field—funding the travel of managers like Mr. Kamkare, the orientation of ASHA workers, and the manufacturing of the braces that give children their first steps.
We invite you to join us:
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Mangal Pawar, the ASHA workers of Yavatmal, and our dedicated team. Together, through mutual respect and collective action, we are moving closer to an India where every child can run free.
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