TSCF Enrols 91 Children with Clubfoot, Begins Treatment Across 11 States

The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF) has enrolled 91 children born with clubfoot and begun treatment in August 2025 across 20 specialized clinics in 11 states of Nigeria.

Project Supervisor, Bright Amadi, speaking in Umuahia, Abia State on Monday, said that over 71 percent of the newly enrolled children were under 12 months old, reflecting the foundation’s emphasis on early intervention.

He noted that the foundation adhered to global standards of care, with an average of 4.6 casting visits per child before tenotomy. So far, about 96 percent of the children have undergone the procedure, which is essential for correcting the deformity.

Amadi acknowledged challenges with patient retention, reporting dropout rates of around 5 percent among children at the casting stage and 10 percent at the bracing stage. He attributed these figures to rising transportation costs and competing domestic pressures on families. He added that TSCF is working to trace affected children and support families to return them to treatment.

As part of capacity strengthening, the foundation organized CAST administration training for the clinical team at IHHM Clinic, Umunze, Anambra State. It also conducted data quality assessments and supervisory visits to several facilities, including NAUTH Nnewi, DELSUTH Oghara, UBTH Benin, RUTH Aba, and FUTH Owerri, to ensure quality care and reliable data management.

Explaining the condition, Amadi said clubfoot is a congenital disorder that twists a baby’s foot out of shape or position, affecting thousands of children globally each year.

He emphasized that early diagnosis and treatment are vital to preventing lifelong disability, adding that TSCF’s work underscores the importance of local partnerships and international support in addressing childhood disabilities in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.