By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Further ensuring better health services to the people of the state, the state government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CURE International India Trust (CIIT) to provide free treatment for clubfoot.
The signing of the MoU which took place at the inaugural function of the Casualty Unit and Endoscopic Facility at the Shillong Civil Hospital in the State capital of Meghalaya aimed to providing non-surgical treatment for clubfoot in the state free of cost.
The MoU was signed between Director CIIT, India Santhosh George G and Meghalaya Director of Health Services, A C Hazarika in the presence of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and his deputy, Rowell Lyngdoh, who holds charge of health department.
The United Kingdom based organization named the CURE International is an International healthcare NGO committed to bring modern treatment to the developing countries including treatment of clubfoot or person with walking disability.With an aim to eliminate clubfoot as a lifelong disability for children in the state, the CIIT tied up with the state government to overcome this problem through its innovative non-surgical programmes, George said.
CURE international also aims to introduce this programme in other parts of the North Eastern states.
“With special reference to children, this treatment is fitted with a plaster of Paris casting for about six weeks, which manipulates the feet and gains correction. The patient is then fitted with foot abduction braces which should be worn for 23 hours a day in the first three months,” George informed.
It is learnt that the treatment could cost Rs 10, 000 and this would not be affordable to the people especially those from a poor background unless it is given free of cost.
Addressing the gathering, the Director of Health Service (Medical Institute) of Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. A.C. Hazarika informed that the Orthopedic Department at the Shillong Civil was having good facilities for treatment of clubfoot deformity, which causes problem in walking.