The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF) has commenced treatment for 91 children born with clubfoot across 20 specialized clinics in 11 states of Nigeria.
Project Supervisor of the foundation, Bright Amadi, disclosed in Umuahia, Abia State, that the children were enrolled in August 2025, with more than 71 percent of them under 12 months old. He said the emphasis on early intervention was in line with global best practices for managing the condition.
Amadi explained that each child averaged 4.6 casting visits before undergoing tenotomy, a minor but critical procedure for correcting clubfoot. According to him, about 96 percent of the children enrolled had already completed the procedure.
Despite these gains, he admitted that patient retention remained a concern. He noted that dropout rates for the month stood at about 5 percent for children at the casting stage and 10 percent for those at the bracing stage, largely due to rising transport costs and family pressures. He said the foundation was working to track affected children and support their return to treatment.
As part of its capacity-building efforts, Amadi revealed that TSCF had organized training on CAST administration for the clinical team at IHHM Clinic in Umunze, Anambra State. The foundation also carried out data quality assessments and supervisory visits to facilities including NAUTH Nnewi, DELSUTH Oghara, UBTH Benin, RUTH Aba, and FUTH Owerri to ensure quality care and reliable data management.
Highlighting the need for continuous action, he described clubfoot as a congenital condition that twists a baby’s foot out of shape or position, affecting thousands of children worldwide each year.
“Early diagnosis and treatment are vital in preventing lifelong disability. TSCF’s work underscores the importance of local partnerships and international support in addressing childhood disabilities, especially in countries like Nigeria,” Amadi said.
