Ray of hope is glistering in North, Dhalai and Unakoti districts of Tripura for babies born with curled feet. Government of India, in its constant endeavour to provide treatment facilities to all, signed a MoU with MiracleFeet India Trust. This Trust, a registered non-profit organization, is working to eliminate clubfoot disability across the country.
After signing the MoU with the National Health Mission, the Trust started implementing its programmes the North, Dhalai and Unakoti districts in 2020. Initially, there were serious dearth of resources and infrastructure.
However, things have started to change during last six months. Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Raja Nag took charge of implementing the programmes at Urban Primary Health Centre located at Padmapukur in Dharmanagar. Project executive Shyam Shankar Deb is also trying his best to ensure proper implementation of the project.
Every week, on Wednesday, clubfoot clinic is being held in Dharmanagar while clinics are open on Tuesday in Dhalai and Thursday in Unakoti districts.
“Treatment in the clubfoot clinic, managed by the MiracleFeet India Trust, is totally free of cost. Even, if required, surgeries would be conducted free of cost. Moreover, as per requirements, free special shoes will be provided to babies under the project – MiracleFeet India”, Dr Nag and Deb said.
Soon, parents with their disabled babies started visiting the clinic. A total of 11 babies have been brought under the project. Among these 11 babies, one baby had to undergo surgery. Besides, 12 babies in Dhalai district and 17 babies in Unakoti districts are undergoing treatment in respective clubfoot clinics.
“This clinic has opened a new dawn for mothers like me who gave birth to a baby with curled feet. Being poor, we are unable to take advantage of costly treatment to correct the birth defect. So, such babies were destined to live in agony and social stigma. However, with MiracleFeet India Trust at our doorstep, we no longer consider disability of our baby as a curse. We are regularly taking the babies to the clinics and doing things as suggested by the Surgeon”, said a mother of one of the beneficiaries.