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  On March 6, 2007, POF sponsored the first Clubfoot Identification Seminar in remote Son La Province. The seminar was organized in partnership with the Son La Committee for Population and Family to train nurses on early detection of clubfoot in babies. Lecturers included Dr. Trinh Quang Dung of the National Pediatric Hospital in Hanoi and Dr. Huu of Son La Hospital Rehabilitation Department. Seminar attendees included nurses from the provincial, district, and commune medical centers of Son La, as well as representatives from the Son La Women’s Union.
Clubfoot is a congenital condition occurring approx. 1/1000 births worldwide, which, if left untreated, causes severe deformity in one or both feet. In most developed countries, clubfoot is identified early and can be corrected during the first two years of life. In rural Vietnam, however, most cases of clubfoot go untreated and develop into a physically and psychologically devastating deformity.
 Having encountered and provided surgery for numerous neglected clubfoot cases through the POF-AOFAS Surgical Project, POF has recognized both the need for clubfoot education in Vietnam and the potential to introduce the Ponseti method of clubfoot treatment. The Ponseti method is a low-cost and effective treatment involving a series of plaster casts and shoe braces.
 The Clubfoot Identification Seminar in Son La Province was one of several “first steps” toward making clubfoot treatment available in northern Vietnam. In addition to the seminar, POF has also sponsored Ponseti Clubfoot Treatment training for doctors from Son La Hospital and the Orthopedic Technical and Rehabilitation Center (OTRC) in Ha Tay Province, and is working with OTRC to develop locally made shoe braces, required for the Ponseti treatment.
With support from donors, POF plans to sponsor additional seminars to educate nurses and mothers about clubfoot identification, and to assist provincial hospitals in treating clubfoot with the Ponseti method. Thank you for your support!
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