Project Run: Iowa to Central Africa

Problem

Thousands of children are born each year with clubfoot, a congenital disorder that leaves children barely able to walk, causing severe functional impairment and psychological damage.

This problem is especially acute in poorer nations, where local doctors lack the resources or training to address the issue, and where this physical malformity can lead to life-long stigmatization and exclusion.

WCI’s Solution

Based on WCI’s core philosophy of implementing efficient, locally-oriented, and sustainable solutions, WCI partnered with University of Iowa’s Ponseti International Association (PIA) to promote the “Ponseti” project.

Named after the late Dr. Iganacio Ponseti, the “Ponseti” method utilizes a series of specialized castings to cure clubfoot in children.

In line with WCI’s “training to independence” mission, the Ponseti method focuses on training local doctors to employ the low-cost technique, and empowers those local trainees to then train other providers in the region.

WCI’s collaboration with the Univ. of Iowa’s Ponseti International Association (PIA) has helped export this Iowa-grown treatment to Nigeria, Somalia, and other parts of Central Africa.

With a 95% success rate, this highly effective treatment, has allowed local doctors to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of children.