Breaking Barriers: Transforming Clubfoot Care for Older Children Around the World
In December 2024, we proudly concluded our Delayed Presenting Clubfoot (DPC) Project — an initiative that has surpassed expectations. Launched in June 2023 through a partnership between Global Clubfoot Initiative (GCI) and CURE Ethiopia, and made possible thanks to a generous grant from an anonymous donor, the project set out to make treatment for older children with untreated clubfoot more accessible and raise global awareness of alternative approaches.
With more than 660 patients treated — well above our initial targets — and significant progress made in expanding treatment capacity worldwide, the DPC Project has proven a major step forwards in addressing one of the most overlooked areas of clubfoot care. Despite significant strides in clubfoot treatment, global clubfoot data indicates that only 20-30% of children in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where 90% of children born with clubfoot live, receive effective treatment each year. This shocking truth results in a lifetime of physical impairment, social stigma, and missed educational and employment opportunities for those affected.
Thanks to the DPC Project:
75 clinicians across 14 countries were trained in new treatment advancements, treatment according to the principles of the Ponseti Method, far exceeding the original target of 56 clinicians. These advancements offer less invasive treatment alternatives, including manipulation and casting, and improved outcomes for older children with untreated clubfoot.
11 of these clinicians also became DPC trainers, 3 of whom joined the teaching team for the final training in Tanzania.
12 rehabilitation initiatives across 11 countries have been supported, enabling exercise groups, equipment, and educational materials which play a vital role in helping patients recover functionally.
663 patients have been treated following DPC training so far.
These training programmes have also benefitted local communities who are now more equipped to treat clubfoot, and support both children and their families through treatment and rehabilitation with exercise programmes.
The parents of one little boy, aged 8 from Uganda, were not informed of his condition at birth, and it was only when he was 7 and his father attended an awareness workshop in the local clinic that he and his family were reassured that his feet could be corrected. After 4 months of treatment, he was enrolled on to the DPC programme. Throughout treatment, he was driven by his dream of finally attending school after previously being unable to walk there. He is now happy and hopeful.
By increasing the awareness and knowledge of this training we hope to influence a global change in the understanding of effective treatment for older children with clubfoot, and drive demand for additional training alongside a continuation of global collaborations within the GCI network.
The impact of the DPC Project has been widely praised by the clinicians involved. One clinician reflected:
‘This is a wonderful programme and should be regularly conducted in developing and under developed countries.’
Another shared how the training empowered their team:
‘I've shared my knowledge with our physios, surgeons and parent advisors. The impact was clear as we now know how to assess the treatment plan together by selecting the best and helpful options for each DPC patient. Treatment decisions and outcomes are better.’
As one clinician put it:
‘Thank you very much for the DPC course. It has been very successful, and many children have benefited from knowledge gained from this training.’
Thanks to the project’s partners, which include all GCI members and special thanks to the training hosts: CURE Ethiopia Children’s Hospital, Hope Walks Ethiopia, Management and Development for Health (MDH) and CCBRT Hospital.
This programme is contributing to our RunFree2030 Movement for a world where every child born with clubfoot can walk, play, and run free.
Donate today to help more children born with clubfoot access treatment around the world.