KATH treats 267 clubfoot deformities

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) within the last two years, with support from the Rotary Club of Kumasi East, performed surgeries to treat 267 babies, with clubfoot, a congenital deformity of the foot, characterised by misshapen or twisted appearance.

Clubfoot is a condition that makes it almost impossible for affected children to walk on the lateral sides of their feet. If not treated, the affected child could not walk properly.

Dr Steven Opuni, Head of the Trauma/Orthopaedic Surgery Unit of KATH, was briefing the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, after an awareness creation programme, organised by the Hospital.

He said Rotary International and FOCOS a USA based philanthropic organization, contacted Professor Inacio Ponsetti of the University of Iowa and the originator of the Correctional "Ponsetti" method, which involved minor surgery, to train staff of KATH to enable the Hospital perform the surgeries.

Dr Opuni said through awareness creation, most parents have brought their babies with such deformities to be treated.

Mrs Margaret Karikari, Head of the Physiotherapy Unit of KATH, asked mothers not to attribute the deformity to witchcraft instead they should report such cases to the Hospital for treatment, adding that, the defect could be treated.

Professor Prince Asiama, President of the Rotary Club of Kumasi East, said the awareness creation programme would be extended to other parts of the country.

Source GNA