Mada 2025 Clubfoot Program Update 2

Jumping on the blog to share another of Nick's program updates!  It's great to celebrate World Clubfoot Day as a way to remember just how much progress has been made - both for the individual patients and also for quality clubfoot care in Madagascar.  These events typically get a bit of news coverage as well, which is great for raising awareness to parents who might not know that treatment is available for their child.

Also, we have a longer newsletter available with more photos/details of what we've been up to, send us a message if you'd like to receive it!

Here's a few recent photos, and the program update below:

Mercy Ships Clubfoot Mentoring Program: Madagascar Update – July 14, 2025

Stronger Together: World Clubfoot Day in Toamasina

On June 3, 2025, Mercy Ships’ Clubfoot Team had the great joy of celebrating World Clubfoot Day in Toamasina, Madagascar. With the valued support of the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with Association de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation de Madagascar (AMPR) and MiracleFeet, the event brought together partners, families, and health professionals to raise public awareness about the importance of early detection and timely treatment.

World Clubfoot Day: Early detection. Early treatment. Lifelong impact.

This year’s theme — “Living without disability caused by untreated clubfoot” (« Vivre sans handicap causé par un pied bot non traité ») — reflects the shared commitment to accessible care and a future where every child can grow up walking, running, and thriving. The celebration was filled with joyful and memorable moments including dance performances and speeches. One mother shared her child's story with heartfelt sincerity. She encouraged fellow parents to stay committed, even when the road feels long — reminding us all that perseverance and hope can lead to a brighter, healthier future for our children.

Building Capacity for Clubfoot Care in Madagascar 

Since April 2025, a collaborative training program by Mercy Ships with partnership from the Ministry of Health, AMPR and MiracleFeet has been underway. This program specifically targets the management of older children with clubfoot, a group that can often be more challenging to treat. 

A team of dedicated doctors and physiotherapists have been receiving weekly mentoring at Hopitaly Be in Toamasina during the casting phase of treatment — a vital step in gradually correcting foot alignment in preparation for surgery.  

                                    Case-based learning in action: Clinicians at CHU Analankininina (Hopitaly Be) dive into

the complexities of delayed presenting clubfoot, building skills for better patient

outcomes.

The patients were ready for the surgical phase of treatment in June 2025, and two Malagasy surgeons were invited as key partners who operated alongside Mercy Ships volunteer surgeons on-board the m/v Africa Mercy. 

During the on-board mentoring, these surgeons gained hands-on training in key corrective techniques, including Percutaneous Achilles Tenotomy, HOKE Achilles Tendon Lengthening, and Tibialis Anterior Tendon Transfer.

Together — with compassion, collaboration, and a shared vision — the mentoring participants are making a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of many children and families. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this life-changing work and to all who continue to walk alongside us in bringing hope and healing.

Malagasy surgeons and the Mercy Ships Clubfoot Team working side by side.