From the Desert Sands to the Doctor’s Office: How 86 ASHA Workers in Rajasthan are Becoming the Frontline Defense Against Clubfoot
In the expansive landscape of Bikaner, Rajasthan, where villages are often separated by vast stretches of the Thar Desert, the journey to healthcare can be a daunting one for a family. For a child born with clubfoot, those first few weeks are the most critical of their entire life. If identified early, the condition is entirely treatable; if missed, it can lead to a lifetime of physical and social exclusion.
At CURE India, we know that the key to reaching the "unreached" lies in the hands of those who live and work within these communities. Recently, our National Office team member, Mr. Subhasish, participated in a vital Block Level ASHA Training in Bikaner, where 86 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers gathered to sharpen their skills in early clubfoot identification, referral, and the pathway to Free Treatment.
ASHA workers are the heartbeat of India’s rural health system. They are the first point of contact for expectant mothers and the primary observers of newborns. By sensitizing 86 of these dedicated women in Bikaner, CURE India is effectively casting a wide safety net across the district.
During the training, the focus was clear:
By strengthening the knowledge of these frontline health workers, we are ensuring that the distance between a desert village and a life-changing clinic is bridged by information and hope.
The medical foundation of our work in Rajasthan is the Ponseti method, the globally recognized, non-surgical gold standard for clubfoot management. This treatment is highly effective because it works with the natural flexibility of a newborn’s body.
The process is gentle but systematic:
At CURE India, we don't just provide the casting; we provide the FAB and the entire clinical journey for free. This ensures that no family in Bikaner has to choose between their child’s mobility and their daily bread.
Our work in Bikaner is a testament to CURE’s national presence. As the largest clubfoot program in the world, we have achieved the distinction of having the most number of clubfoot children treated globally. Our systematic approach has earned us a place among the Top 10 NGO's in India/in the country.
For our donors and partners, our credibility is built on transparency of fund usage. We believe that every Donation is a commitment to a specific child’s future. By investing in ASHA training, we are ensuring that your support creates a long-term social impact—one that transforms entire communities by removing the stigma and burden of untreated disability.
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 and Jaipur to the grassroots level in districts like Bikaner. By intensifying our national presence and strengthening our partnerships with frontline health workers and 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.
Ending clubfoot disability in India is a goal within our reach, but we cannot do it without the general public, medical professionals, and supporters like you.
The 86 ASHA workers in Bikaner are now more than just health activists; they are the messengers of a new future. Together, we are ensuring that every child in Rajasthan takes their first steps toward a life of independence and joy.
Together, we make hope walk.
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