By Seedy Jobe
The Gambia Clubfoot Foundation on Saturday marked World Clubfoot Day by bringing together social media influencers, healthcare professionals, parents, and journalists for an awareness campaign aimed at promoting the early detection and treatment of clubfoot, a congenital condition that affects an estimated 110 to 130 newborns in The Gambia each year.
Held at the Regional Health Directorate in Brikama, the event focused on engaging influencers with strong audiences among parents aged 18 to 35 in an effort to combat misinformation, stigma, and low public awareness that often delay treatment for affected children.
Organizers said the campaign sought to ensure that no child is deprived of treatment because of a lack of information, emphasizing that the Ponseti method—the globally recognized treatment for clubfoot—is provided free of charge at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and health facilities in Brikama, Kanifing, Farafenni, and Bansang.
Addressing participants, Karim Darboe, Regional Public Health Officer for the West Coast Region 2 Health Directorate, described clubfoot as one of the most common congenital musculoskeletal conditions, warning that untreated cases can result in lifelong disability, social exclusion, and economic hardship.
He said early diagnosis and treatment using the Ponseti method produce excellent outcomes in more than 95 percent of children and urged influencers to use their online platforms to educate families about the importance of seeking care promptly.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to walk, to run, to learn, and to realize their full potential. Together, we can ensure that no child is left behind because of a condition that is both detectable and treatable,” Darboe said.
He added that World Clubfoot Day should serve not only to raise awareness but also to strengthen systems for early identification, timely referrals, and sustained community support.
“Every child born with clubfoot deserves access to early diagnosis, quality treatment, rehabilitation, and the support needed to live a full and dignified life,” he said.
Dr. Kebba Marenah, Medical Director of JaaMa Specialty Hospital and an orthopedic surgeon, highlighted the progress made since the Gambia Clubfoot Foundation launched its program in 2018.
He said healthcare workers have now been trained and deployed across the country, making treatment more accessible for families. He added that awareness campaigns and the free provision of braces and other medical supplies have helped remove significant barriers to care.
“The easiest time to treat is when the child is very young,” Dr. Marenah said. “If we can identify these children early, they can be treated more effectively and achieve much better outcomes.”
Although treatment remains successful for many older children, he noted that intervention during the first three months of life offers the best chance for complete correction. He called on community members, traditional birth attendants and frontline health workers to identify suspected cases early and refer families to the nearest treatment center.
Sulayman Suso, Program Coordinator of the Gambia Clubfoot Foundation, said the event formed part of the annual observance of World Clubfoot Day, commemorated each year on June 3.
He urged parents to seek medical attention as soon as signs of clubfoot are detected and emphasized the media’s role in educating the public and dispelling misconceptions about the condition.
Suso also paid tribute to the late Dr. Ibou Camara, founder of the Gambia Clubfoot Foundation, whom he credited with introducing the country’s clubfoot treatment program.
Parents whose children have undergone treatment also shared their experiences, describing how early intervention transformed their children’s lives. They expressed gratitude to the Foundation and to the late Dr. Camara for expanding access to care across the country.
The awareness campaign forms part of the Foundation’s broader efforts to improve early diagnosis, strengthen referral systems and expand community support for children born with clubfoot and their families.
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