Adani Foundation, Anushkaa Foundation Launch Three-Year Initiative to Support 10,000 Children With Clubfoot Across Five States

The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM) across Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh. The programme was formally launched at Manyavar Kanshiram Combined Hospital and Trauma Centre in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, one of the states carrying the highest burden of clubfoot cases in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, emphasised the importance of early intervention for children born with the condition. She stated that no child should be held back by a treatable condition such as clubfoot when identified early. Dr Adani said every child deserves the opportunity to move, learn, play and participate fully in life, adding that creating opportunities for persons with disabilities has long been central to the Adani Foundation’s philosophy and that the partnership reflects that commitment.

Clubfoot is a congenital condition in which one or both feet turn inward at birth and affects nearly one in every 800 newborns. Although the condition can be corrected through the globally recognised Ponseti treatment method, many children in underserved regions do not receive timely diagnosis and treatment, often leading to long-term mobility challenges.

The newly launched programme seeks to strengthen early identification mechanisms, referral systems and access to treatment through public healthcare networks. It also aims to improve long-term care and rehabilitation support for children affected by the condition.

As part of the initiative, 67 clubfoot clinics across 61 districts in the five participating states will receive support to expand treatment access and enhance healthcare capacity. The programme will also facilitate the training and strengthening of 51 healthcare professionals involved in clubfoot care. Additionally, more than 30,000 frontline health workers will be sensitised to improve early detection and ensure timely referral of children born with the condition.

Deepak Premnarayen, Founder of the Anushkaa Foundation, said the collaboration would play a critical role in strengthening systems for early diagnosis and intervention. He noted that the partnership with the Adani Foundation would help expand access to quality treatment across 61 districts in five states while reinforcing healthcare systems designed to identify and treat clubfoot at an early stage. He added that the joint effort would help ensure that a treatable condition does not become a lifelong barrier to mobility and opportunity.

The partnership represents a significant step towards improving access to specialised healthcare services for children with clubfoot, strengthening public healthcare infrastructure and promoting early intervention to ensure thousands of children receive timely treatment and a better quality of life.