Odisha Govt Signs MoU with Cure International India Trust for Clubfoot Treatment

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cure International India Trust to implement a statewide Clubfoot Management Programme. The initiative aims to provide free treatment for children born with the congenital condition, ensuring early intervention and accessible care across the state.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, who was present at the MoU signing, highlighted the importance of early treatment in managing clubfoot. He urged parents to seek medical attention immediately after birth and assured that the government’s collaboration with Cure International India Trust would make treatment free of cost for families in Odisha.

Dr. Santhosh George, Director of Cure International India Trust, explained that surgery is not always necessary for clubfoot correction. Instead, the Trust has developed specialized footwear in 22 different sizes to support the non-surgical correction of the condition. He stated that Odisha currently has a 50 percent success rate in clubfoot treatment and expressed confidence that with continued government support, the state could achieve a 100 percent success rate in the coming years.

The programme will establish treatment centers in every district to ensure that all children have access to proper medical care. Extensive training on the Ponseti method, a non-surgical technique for clubfoot correction, will be provided to healthcare professionals. Cure International India Trust will bear the entire cost of the programme, covering training, distribution of foot abduction braces, and the employment of counselors to assist families throughout the treatment process.

Since its inception, the programme has successfully treated 6,301 children as of December 18, 2024. With the MoU renewed for another two years from January 16, 2025, to January 15, 2027, the government and Cure International India Trust have reaffirmed their commitment to making Odisha free of clubfoot.

The signing ceremony was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department Aswathy S, National Coordinator of Cure International India Trust Dr. Atula Jamir, Joint Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Department Jasmin Patnaik, and State Coordinator of Cure International India Trust Upasana Sahoo, along with other senior officials.