5,000 born with clubfoot deformity every year

Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dr Justin Lee in company with others while visiting Walk For Life clinic at National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in the city yesterday. Photo: STAR

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Justin Lee yesterday visited Walk For Life clinic at National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) to see operation of Walk For Life's clubfoot clinics in government hospitals in the country.
Being a supporter of the clubfoot programme in Bangladesh, the Australian High Commission had funded treatment of 250 children last year, says a press release.
“We are visiting Walk For Life clinic to assess ways in which the Australian government can be involved with development projects in Bangladesh, “said the high commissioner.
Director of NITOR Dr Abdul Awal Rizvi, Country Director of Walk For Life Colin Macfarlane, Deputy High Commissioner Tim Bolotnikoff, First Secretary AusAid Amanda Jennings and, Ponseti expert were present on the occasion.
Every year an estimated 5,000 children are born with a clubfoot deformity (a condition where the feet are turned inside at birth) in Bangladesh. Left untreated, the condition turns to lifelong disability, said the release.
Walk For Life is Bangladesh's Sustainable Clubfoot Programme that is providing free treatment to children under the age of three by the Ponseti Method, which does not require invasive surgery.
The programme has a network of 36 clinics all around Bangladesh, mostly in the government medical colleges and district hospitals, said the release.