The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) is providing free treatment for children with clubfoot.

The two-day exercise, scheduled for March 26 and 27, 2025, will take place at the SDA Hospital in Kwadaso, Kumasi and is open to children under the age of five at no cost.

The initiative, supported by Hope Walks, the Brazza International Foundation, and The Multimedia Group, seeks to offer life-changing care to children affected by this condition.

A newborn's first cry marks the beginning of life, filled with hope. But for some parents, that joy is quickly overshadowed by unexpected challenges like clubfoot, a congenital condition affecting thousands of children worldwide.

Each year, about 20,000 babies are born with clubfoot globally, with Ghana recording approximately 1,000 cases annually.

Despite being a treatable condition, many cases remain untreated due to lack of awareness.

According to Programmes Manager for CHAG/Hope Walks Clubfoot, Nana Adutwumwaa Adjetey, untreated cases are common.

"When you walk the streets of Accra, you see many untreated individuals with clubfoot - children and even adults. If each region records about 1,000 cases annually, it shows how widespread the condition is," she noted.

One major challenge is that many parents, especially first-time mothers, struggle to recognize clubfoot in their newborns.

“I didn’t know anything about clubfoot. I had never seen a child with such a condition before, so I didn’t recognise it in my own baby,” a mother shared.

Medical experts emphasize early detection, as clubfoot can usually be identified at birth.

An orthopedic surgeon at the 37 Military Hospital, Col. Delali Adzigbli explained that midwives play a crucial role in detecting the condition.

"When a baby is born, midwives check the feet, count the toes, and assess if the foot’s position is natural. A twisted foot is a clear sign of clubfoot."

In Ghana, misconceptions and stigma often surround clubfoot. Some believe it is a curse or spiritual affliction, leading to emotional distress for affected families.

"People say all sorts of things about clubfoot, but these children are not river babies or cursed," a health worker emphasised.

But experts insist clubfoot is purely a medical condition - not spiritual.

“Clubfoot is not a curse. It is a medical condition caused by shortened tendons. No mother is to blame for this,” Nana Adutwumwaa Adjetey stressed.

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has treated over 8,000 children with clubfoot since 2008.

"Clubfoot can be fully corrected. We want families to know that help is available. If your child has clubfoot, visit our treatment centers, and they will receive free corrective care," Nana Adjetey assured.

She explained the treatment process, which involves corrective casting and therapy over several weeks.

If left untreated, clubfoot can severely impact mobility, affecting a child's future.

“Every regional hospital, teaching hospital, and primary healthcare center should integrate clubfoot treatment into regular care,” Nana Adjetey urged.

Every child deserves a chance to walk. If your child has clubfoot, seek treatment now. Help is available, and it’s free.