Clubfoot is a congenital deformity that twists the foot, ankle and toes, if not treated at an early stage; this deformity can lead to life time disability. With no proper treatment, children born with clubfoot cannot walk, run or play. Clubfoot is one of the most common congenital physical disabilities worldwide, known to occur in 2 of every 1,000 births worldwide with evidence of higher rates in our country. Early childhood is the best period to treat this deformity. There are children suffering from club foot in Tripura State also. The Health & Family Welfare Department has undertaken a special intervention through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cure International India on October 10, 2013 for screening and treating the club foot children under RBSK Programme.
The clinic began its journey on January 4, 2014 at Agartala Government Medical College & G.B.P Hospital in association with Cure International India. 181 Children suffering from Club Foot have been registered in the clinic under RBSK Programme from different part of the State. The plasters have been applied to 36 Children and special Shoes have been provided to 21 Children. Tenotomy (A tenotmy is a surgical act which involves the division of a tendon) Operation was done for one Child. For others, tenotomy may not be required. Others were treated clinically.
The same service has been made operational in Dharmanagar District Hospital under North Tripura District from 3rd June, 2016. 21 Children suffering from Club Foot have been registered in the clinic and the plasters have been applied to all 21 Children and special Shoes have been provided to 5 Children. Tenotomy Operation was done for one Child.For others, tenotomy may not be required. Others were treated clinically.
RBSK Mobile Teams are undertaking screening and identifying club foot in children aged 0-18 years on a regular basis and accordingly management of those children is also undertaken at Agartala & Dharmanagar.
