An estimated one thousand infants are born every year in Uganda with one or both feet affected with a birth defect known as congenital clubfoot. Usually the deformity is not diagnosed, or if diagnosed it is neglected, as the conventional treatment of surgical correction is simply not possible with the resources available. In 1994, there were an estimated 10,000 children in Uganda with neglected clubfeet (Atria). Congenital deformities (mostly clubfeet) are responsible for 30 % of musculoskeletal ill health & disability in children in Uganda.

Children with neglected clubfeet are destined to grow up with deformed & painful feet, leading to physical disability. Untreated, this disability affects an individual's mobility and threatens their potential productivity. The neglected clubfoot deformity results in disability for the individual, a reduced standard of living for the entire family, and a burden to the community.

Professor Ponseti from the University of Iowa has developed a non-invasive method of correcting the clubfoot deformity, with an efficacy rate of 98% in compliant patients. It is appealing where surgical resources are scarce. In 1999, a Canadian led Rotary funded pilot project introduced the Ponseti method of treating the clubfoot into selected areas of Uganda by increasing awareness of the deformity & training suitable health workers in the method. Results of treatment at the Mulago Hospital Clubfoot Clinic were very encouraging.

This project's goal is to reduce the consequences of disability from neglected clubfeet in Uganda by institutionalizing the Ponseti Method of clubfoot treatment throughout the Ugandan healthcare system & provide universal Ponseti clubfoot treatment.

Sustainability Strategy:

This project's theme is sustainability. As stated above, "the Uganda Sustainable Clubfoot Care Project works hand in hand with these standards and strategies by
•    Aiming to raise awareness of the clubfoot deformity throughout Uganda
•    Training local healthcare personnel to provide treatment with a method that is socially acceptable and economically viable for Uganda."
The project partners have emphasized this to policy makers within the Ministry of Health and the Ministry has already expressed the desire to incorporate the principles of clubfoot management espoused by this project within their next five year plan (HSSP2 – Health Sector Strategic Plan 2: 2005-2010).