Early Detection Key to Curing Clubfoot: Training Session for Health Workers Held in Cumilla

In a significant move to eradicate physical disability caused by congenital defects, a specialized training workshop was held on Monday for grassroots health workers in Cumilla’s Adarsha Sadar Upazila. The session focused on the early detection and swift referral of infants born with ‘Clubfoot’ (locally known as Mugur Pa).

Organized by United Purpose Bangladesh with financial support from MiracleFeet and technical cooperation from the Upazila Health Department, the ‘Early Detection and Referral (EDR)’ programme took place at the conference room of the Upazila Health Office.

The workshop highlighted that Clubfoot—a birth defect where a child’s feet are twisted inward—is entirely treatable if addressed early, specifically through the globally recognized Ponseti Method. Experts warned that without timely intervention, the condition leads to lifelong disability, causing severe social and economic hardship for the child.

A total of 21 Community Healthcare Providers (CHCPs) and field-level health workers from various unions of Adarsha Sadar Upazila participated in the session. Senior medical officers and the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UHFPO) served as resource persons, guiding participants on clinical identification and the formal referral protocol.

Speaking at the event, Sumit Banik, the project’s Field Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the mission. “Our goal is to ensure that no child in this district grows up neglected or disabled due to clubfoot. The first and most critical step is identifying these cases at the community level and referring them to specialized centers without delay,” he said.

The initiative is part of the “Walk for Life” project, implemented by United Purpose, which provides protection and support to help children with clubfoot overcome physical and social barriers.

The chief guest, Dr Md. Zakaria Mahmud, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, called upon the health workers to take proactive roles. “Field workers are the backbone of our healthcare system. You are in a unique position to spot these cases early. A single piece of right advice or a timely referral from you can give a child the gift of a normal life,” Dr Mahmud stated. He further urged the participants to integrate compassionate values and community awareness into their work, ensuring that no child becomes a burden to their family due to a lack of information or treatment.