Helping Vulnerable Children in Zambia Thrive

Hands Around the World (HATW) works in partnership with Pamodzi Ndi Ana (PNA) in Zambia. Through PNA’s dedicated programmes and partnerships they create meaningful, lasting change for children and their communities.

PNA with support from HATW, recently held a two-day clubfoot workshop at the PNA office in Chipata for 19 physiotherapists from 19 hospitals within the whole of the Eastern Province of Zambia. Clubfoot is a condition present at birth, affecting about 1 baby in every 1,000, however, this rate is higher for low- and middle-income countries. In a country such as Zambia, neglecting clubfoot often results in a permanent and disabling deformity with subsequent social implications.  Children with clubfoot are often ostracized and stigmatised, creating a lack of confidence, and low self-esteem. If left untreated it can become extremely painful and limit access to education, play and future employment.

The two-day clubfoot workshop was run by two facilitators from the Beit CURE hospital in Lusaka. Day one focused mainly on theory, explaining how to diagnose a child with clubfoot and the importance of early intervention to ensure children are successfully treated.

For the second day of the workshop, the central hospital in Chipata identified four babies with clubfoot and PNA identified a further two babies. Day two focused on more practical elements and was dedicated to teaching the Ponseti method. The Ponseti method is a non-surgical procedure that corrects clubfoot using a technique that straightens the foot using manipulation, stretching and placing the foot into a series of plaster casts for improved positioning. This pioneering method is less invasive than surgery and is painless, cost-effective and has an extremely high success rate.

Everyone actively engaged in the training, with the sharing of information, experiences and knowledge. The workshop has been successful in educating local health professionals and ensuring they have the right skills to treat patients effectively. The workshop also raised awareness and will ensure babies can access the correct treatment locally, removing the need for long and expensive journeys to Lusaka for treatment.

This training has ensured this corrective method is available to children affected by clubfoot in this remote rural area of Zambia. Children treated with the Ponseti method will lead a normal life. They will be able to run, play and walk pain-free, without the need for further medical intervention, having an overwhelmingly positive impact on these children’s quality of life.

Thank you for your on-going support. Your support has provided vital training that will transform these children’s lives!