Do you know that Liverpool and England legend, Steven George Gerrard, was born with a birth defect called clubfoot?
Do you also know that American football great Charles Woodson and Olympic gold medalist figure skater and two-time world champion, Kristi Yamaguchi were also born with clubfoot?
In the following report, Peter Quao Adattor explores clubfoot conditions in Ghana where 928 children are born with condition each year.
Clubfoot is a deformity in which an infant’s foot is turned inward, often so severely that the bottom of the foot faces sideways or even upward.
One infant in every 1,000 live births will have clubfoot.
80 percent of all clubfoot cases occur in low middle income countries including Ghana, with only 15 percent having access to treatment.
Though the cause of clubfoot is unknown, some risk factors have been identified including family history, with secondary causes including genetic syndrome and neurologic conditions.
In Ghana where 928 babies are born with clubfoot superstition and curses have been cited by some as the cause..
These experts say lead to neglect of treatment thereby ruining the lives of children.
If left untreated, the condition causes severe lifelong disability.
The Korea foundation for international healthcare global alumni, Ghana chapter been creating awareness on clubfoot in Ghana.
Dr Ignatius Awinibuno, is the director of allied health at the ministry of health.
Stakeholders called on government to create enabling environment for mothers of babies with clubfoot to access treatment.
By Peter Quao Adattor
