Nairobi: In many Kenyan communities, the birth of a child with visible physical deformities often carries a heavy stigma. Families may view such children as harbingers of bad omens or curses, leaving young mothers to bear the emotional and social burden of raising a child with a disability. This cultural perception compounds the challenges faced by those living with conditions like clubfoot, as highlighted during a recent Clubfoot Open Day at Migori County Referral Hospital.
According to Kenya News Agency, among the attendees was Ms. Ascar Akinyi Yogo, a mother of two children with clubfoot and a lifelong clubfoot patient herself. "I was born with clubfoot, but in my entire family, there is no history of such a deformity. This made me pass through a lot of discrimination and suffering," she shared. Growing up, Ascar faced rejection from her family, who saw her condition as a sign of misfortune. She endured physical pain from walking long distances or standing for extended periods, as well as emotional distress from societal exclusion.
Tragically, Ascar's struggles continued when her first child, a daughter, and her second child, a son, were born with the same condition. Determined to spare her children the hardships she faced, she sought medical help for her daughter but was met with discouragement. Dr. Amos Odhiambo, an orthopedic technologist at Migori County Referral Hospital, explains that clubfoot is a congenital deformity common in young children, often inherited. While the exact cause remains unknown, untreated cases can lead to permanent disability. However, early intervention, ideally at birth or within three months, can result in full correction. "When we begin treating clubfoot deformities early, we end up with normal legs in their adult stages," Dr. Odhiambo stated.
He noted that cases often go unnoticed when children are born outside health facilities, leading to 'neglected cases' where correction becomes difficult. The hospital's physiotherapy department sees an average of eight children with clubfoot weekly, totaling approximately 30 cases monthly. Interestingly, most cases involve female children, though the reason remains unclear. Of these cases, an impressive 98 percent achieve successful correction, a statistic that has boosted confidence among parents seeking treatment at the facility.
Happiness Marwa, whose daughter underwent successful clubfoot correction, shared her relief. "When I realized my child had folded feet at birth, I sought help from the facility and met Dr. Amos. My child is walking normally now, and it's hard to tell which foot had issues," she said. Similarly, Mirriam Nyabony, whose daughter is currently in therapy, expressed hope for a full recovery after prompt intervention at the hospital.
Despite the hospital's success, challenges persist. Dr. Fredrick Otieno, head of the physiotherapy department, lamented that some parents hide their children due to fear of discrimination, even though correction services are offered free of charge. "I still fail to understand why some parents hide their children instead of coming forward to be helped," he said. For adults with untreated clubfoot, surgical options exist but are costly, prompting Dr. Otieno to encourage enrollment in the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance scheme or private insurance. He also called for support from organizations that can donate essential medical equipment to sustain the hospital's efforts.
The Clubfoot Open Day at Migori County Referral Hospital underscored the transformative impact of early intervention and community awareness. Meanwhile, as more parents step forward, the facility continues to offer hope to families affected by this treatable condition, challenging deep-rooted cultural beliefs and paving the way for children to lead normal, active lives.