No child should remain disabled due to clubfoot: UHSR VC; — 174th Ponseti Method refresher training held at PGIMS

Rohtak, September 12, 2026: Ensuring that no child is left disabled due to congenital clubfoot should be the collective goal of the medical fraternity, Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHSR) Vice-Chancellor Dr H.K. Aggarwal said on Saturday.

Addressing the 174th Refresher Training on Ponseti Method of Clubfoot Management at PGIMS Rohtak, Dr Aggarwal said timely and proper treatment can effectively correct the deformity and help children lead normal, confident lives.

He said PGIMS was committed to producing trained and compassionate doctors capable of providing world-class, free treatment to children from economically weaker families.

UHSR Registrar and Head of Orthopaedics Dr Roop Singh said the partnership between PGIMS and Cure India International Trust has continued since 2013. More than 528 children in Haryana have been treated under the initiative. Six specialised clubfoot centres are functioning in the state with government support, providing free treatment through the Ponseti method.

Clubfoot causes a child’s foot to turn inward and downward. Treatment is most effective when started in the first few weeks after birth. The Ponseti method gradually corrects the deformity through specialised casting, followed by a minor procedure when required and the use of a corrective brace. Early treatment can help most children avoid major surgery.

PGIMS Director Dr S.K. Singhal appreciated Cure India’s efforts to provide quality treatment to children from underprivileged families and said the training would strengthen the practical skills of postgraduate students.

Cure India Medical Director Dr Mathew Varghese said the organisation began its clubfoot programme in 2009 with the goal of ensuring that no child is disabled by the condition. By December 2024, it had provided free treatment to more than 1.12 lakh children through 441 weekly clinics across 262 districts in 29 states. Around 9,000 doctors have been trained and more than 4.24 lakh corrective braces distributed.

He said nearly 150 children are born with clubfoot in India every day, underlining the need to establish dedicated clinics in every district.

Organising Secretary Dr Jitendra Wadhwani said clubfoot casting is carried out at PGIMS every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Prof Umesh Yadav conducted the programme.