DMC &H launches ‘Step Well’ Clinic on World Club Foot Day

To transform young lives to flourish and unleash their potential, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital has joined hands with the Anushkaa Foundation to eliminate clubfoot, one of the largest forms of disability in children in the developing world. A super-speciality clinic ‘Step Well Clinic’ was launched on 3rd June, 2024 at department of Orthopaedics on occasion of World Clubfoot Day. It will offer multidisciplinary team services comprising orthopaedics, paediatrics, physiotherapy and orthotics under one roof.

The clinic was inaugurated by Sh. Bipin Gupta, Secretary DMC & H Managing Society along with Sh Mukesh Verma, Treasurer, Dr. G S Wander, Principal, Dr Sandeep Kaushal, Dean Academics, Dr Sandeep Sharma, Dr Ashwani K Chaudhary, Dr Bishav Mohan Medical Supdts and other faculty members from Department of Orthopaedics, Paediatrics and Gynaecology.

India accounts for 19% of the global clubfoot births. Around 33,000 children are born with clubfoot every year. In Punjab, every year around 500 children are born with clubfoot. And less than 15% of affected children have access to treatment in low- and middle-income countries like India. “India accounts for close to a fifth of clubfoot births. Untreated clubfoot children face a lifetime of disablement, abandonment, ostracism, and lost school opportunities. Yet clubfoot is very much curable, treated children live perfectly active and healthy lives and excel in every possible field,” said Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, president, DMC & H Managing Society.

 “DMC & H has been treating clubfooted patients for many years. I am delighted that we are deepening and broadening the scope of this treatment in partnership with the Anushkaa Foundation” said Mr. Bipin Gupta, Secretary, DMCH Managing Society. Anushkaa Foundation, formed primarily to eradicate clubfoot, is currently active in 140 districts in 10 different states in India.

Dr. Rajnish Garg, Professor & Head, Orthopaedics said that, clubfoot is condition present since birth in which one or both feet are twisted in abnormal position and if regular treatment by casting with Ponsetti’s method is started in first month of life, successful correction of deformity can be achieved.

Dr. Deepak Jain, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Nodal Officer of this project stated that partnership with Anushkaa Foundation will enhance quality of clubfoot care. Anushkaa foundation will hold awareness sessions for general public, provide high quality braces after completion of treatment and ensure regular follow-up of treated children to detect recurrence. Efforts will also be made to integrate the services of this clinic with government schemes like Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram.