Participants at a training and discussion session have been told that untreated clubfoot is one of the leading causes of physical disability globally.
The forum was between health authority secretaries of the 17 local governments of Abia State and the Straight Foot Foundation in Umuahia, the state capital.
Mr Bright Amadi and Dr Uche Oluwatosin said out of the estimated 10,000 cases of people with clubfoot in the country, 80 percent of them don’t have access to proper treatment.
They blamed the development on the lack of awareness, poverty and negative stereotype, calling for referral to the 16 centres or hospitals where there is ongoing treatment for clubfoot.
The duo also explained that the centres and hospitals are located in the South East, South South States as well as Kogi State.
Other highlights were testimony by Mrs Chinaza Ugwu, whose son was successfully treated of clubfoot, contributions on how to strengthen surveillance and early detection.
Speaking earlier, the executive secretary of the State Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Kalu U. Kalu assured of their partnership with the foundation to create awareness on the desease.
Earlier, the vision bearer of the foundation, Dr. Peace Amaraegbulam said the forum was aimed at producing accurate data on clubfoot in the state.
She said the free treatment for clubfoot in the state by the foundation is in collaboration with Miracle Faith and in line with the Run-free 2030 Initative.