DHAKA: This morning hundreds of children, parents, medical professionals and supporters joined a rally at Dhaka Medical College Hospital to celebrate World Clubfoot Day.
Director of Dhaka Medical College Mizanur Rahman, Head of Orthopedic Department Dr. S. M Zaman, and renowned surgeons of orthopedic department, Founder Chairman of The Glencoe Foundation Colin Campbell Macfarlane, Country Director Zahangir Alam and Employees of The Glencoe Foundations were present in the rally.
Mariam Begum, is the mother of a little girl born with clubfoot deformity said, “It’s a miracle, now she is walking and running like any other little girl. We are so thankful to the Government and Walk for Life for providing this free treatment.”
In Bangladesh alone 5000+ children are born each year with clubfoot deformity. Left untreated, the condition leads to lifelong deformity causing individual disability and potential unproductively. This causes the children to grow up as burdens of the family and ultimately leads to significant poverty.
95% of these children can be successfully treated by the Ponseti method.Today celebrates the life of Prof. Ponsei. He died in USA in 2010 aged 94. His technique and teaching lives on.
Head of Orthopedic Department Dr. S. M Zaman said that, Clubfoot is an inborn disability and it is found in major portion of patients. Its number is much more in our country and it is said that, since birth that it can happen in the womb of mother without reasonable or unreasonable ground and many people don’t know why it is happening. . Afterwards, though we blame many causes yet it is assumed that it is an inborn disability which is not limited within the leg rather it can occur from leg to knee or even up to waist. I appreciate the contribution of walk for life towards a clubfoot free Bangladesh.
Director of Dhaka Medical College Mr. Mizanur Rahman said that,
I would like to give my heartfelt thanks for the step taken by Walk For Life in providing Clubfoot treatment to the patients of Bangladesh. In this World Clubfoot day, I wish all clubfoot born children will get their proper treatment.
Over 100 children took part in the rally, many of them wearing their foot abduction braces or in the early stages of treatment, with their feet in plaster.
Walk for Life is a partnership between The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Glencoe Foundation. Founded six years ago, over 14 500 children have now enrolled. It is one of the largest and most successful programs in the world. There are 48 clinics around the country.
While visiting to a walk for life clinic in Jessore recently The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Nasim said:
“I congratulate the orthopedic surgeons and all who are part of Walk for Life. The economic and social benefit to the children, their parents and the country is immeasurable.”
Recently wishing the program continued success, the The Director General of Health Services Prof Dr. Deen Muhammad NurulHaque emphasized the economic and social benefits to the children whose feet have been corrected.
Professor Amjad, President of the Bangladesh Orthopedic Society is overseas but sent his best wishes. “I commend and support all orthopedic surgeons working in all clubfoot programs”
The rally ended with refreshments and an opportunity for the parents to exchange stories on the success of treatment for their children.
Since the inception of Walk For Life in 2009 to till date, with a joint collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, A number of 14234 clubfoot children with 21630 affected feet have enrolled in the program.
Further information on the Walk for Life program, go to www.walkforlife.org.au
BDST: 1850 HRS, JUNE 2, 2015
AKA/
