Strengthening the Frontline: Empowering ASHA Workers to Eliminate Clubfoot in Nanded

From Awareness to Action: How Nanded’s Healthcare Heroes are Turning Early Identification into Lifelong Mobility.

At CURE India, our most powerful tool isn't a medical instrument—it’s the watchful eye of a frontline health worker. In the mission to reach every child born with clubfoot, the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker is the first, and often most critical, point of contact.

Recently, our District Program Coordinator, Ms. Martina Kamthankar, facilitated a vital Clubfoot Awareness Session at PHC Daheli Tanda, Nanded, Maharashtra, turning a standard ASHA meeting into a proactive strategy session for childhood disability prevention.

The Frontline Advantage: Why Early Identification Matters

The session brought together 15 ASHA workers and ANM staff, focusing on the crucial reality that early identification is the gateway to independence. When clubfoot is identified at birth, the Ponseti method—the global gold standard for treatment—can fully correct the foot without the need for invasive, lifelong surgery.

• Sensitivity & Skill: The training focused on recognizing the physical indicators of clubfoot and developmental delays, ensuring that no child slips through the cracks of the healthcare system.
• The Referral Chain: ASHA workers and ANMs are the bridge between a worried parent and a specialized clinic. By streamlining this referral process, we ensure that children in remote villages like Daheli Tanda receive the same level of care as those in major metropolitan hubs.
• Mainstreaming Health: Our goal is to bring children with disabilities out of the shadows and into the heart of mainstream healthcare and education, ensuring they have the same opportunities as any other child.

CURE India: Scaling Impact with Transparency

As one of the Top 10 NGO’s in India, CURE India is committed to scaling our intervention from 33% to 70% of all children born with clubfoot in India by 2030 (#RunFree2030). This scale is only possible through the dedication of DPCs like Ms. Martina Kamthankar and the tireless work of the frontline staff at PHC Daheli Tanda.

"Together, we are building stronger community health systems and bringing children with disabilities into mainstream healthcare and education. A heartfelt thank you to all the ASHA workers and ANM staff for your commitment to transforming children's lives."

Join the Mission

Our frontline heroes are doing the heavy lifting, but the sustainability of these programs depends on the support of our broader community.

1. Donate: Your contributions directly fund the outreach, brace distribution, and training workshops that empower ASHA workers. Give today at cure.org.in/donate.
2. Spread Awareness: Help us make "early detection" a household term. When parents know clubfoot is treatable, they act immediately.
3. Stay Connected: Follow our progress across Maharashtra as we work toward a future where every child can walk confidently.

Together, we are building a future where no child is left behind because of a treatable condition.