The Straight Child Foundation Enrolls 101 Children for Clubfoot Treatment, Strengthens Nationwide Intervention Efforts

The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF) has reported major progress in its nationwide clubfoot intervention programme, announcing that 101 children were successfully enrolled for treatment in October 2025.

The organisation, which currently operates 22 specialised clubfoot clinics across 11 states, revealed that the majority of newly enrolled beneficiaries were infants under twelve months, an age group that has the highest likelihood of full correction when treated promptly using the Ponseti method.

Speaking in Umuahia, Abia State, the Foundation’s CAST Coordinator, Mr. Uchenna Egbe-eni, reaffirmed TSCF’s commitment to improving mobility, independence, and long-term quality of life for children born with clubfoot. He highlighted that each child recorded an average of 4.7 casting visits before tenotomy, aligning with established global standards for Ponseti-based treatment.

He noted that more than 93% of the children progressed to the tenotomy phase, a critical stage for successful correction, underscoring the programme’s efficiency and adherence to best practices.

Egbe-eni also shared updated treatment retention statistics, stating that dropout rates were 3.8% among children undergoing casting and 6.4% among those in the bracing phase. He emphasized that while these numbers remain relatively low, the Foundation continues to intensify follow-up efforts to ensure each child completes the full corrective pathway.

As part of its continuous clinical improvement strategy, TSCF facilitated basic Ponseti technique training for health workers at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi. In addition, a dedicated CAST training was conducted in Itumbuzo, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, to strengthen practitioner competence at community level.

To further improve data accuracy and service quality, supervisory and monitoring visits were carried out at several partner institutions, including:

• University of Uyo Teaching Hospital
• University of Calabar Teaching Hospital
• Rhema University Teaching Hospital, Aba

Egbe-eni expressed profound appreciation to the Foundation’s long-standing partner, MiracleFeet Incorporated, for its unwavering support in expanding access to clubfoot services across Nigeria. He urged parents and caregivers to present children for treatment early, preferably within the first few weeks of life, to ensure the best outcomes.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s mission:
“Our goal is clear, every child born with clubfoot in Nigeria deserves timely, appropriate, and high-quality care. We remain committed to ensuring no child is left behind.”