LSTMB Joins Forces with Johns Hopkins to Combat Clubfoot in Newborns

A landmark health partnership was launched this Monday between the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), Johns Hopkins University, and several Lagos hospitals to tackle "clubfoot" in newborns. The initiative, titled Project First Step, is part of the Bloomberg School of Public Health’s MPH Field Experience Project. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and formal medical institutions to ensure early detection of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus.

The program brought together traditional birth attendants and bone setters at General Hospital Odan, Lagos, for an intensive educational session. Dr. Salami Olayinka, Head of Orthopaedics at the hospital, highlighted the crucial role TBAs play in identifying the condition immediately after birth. Because TBAs are often the first point of contact for many mothers, their ability to recognize the deformity and make a quick referral is the "golden hour" for treatment.

​During the lectures, Dr. Adekule Nurudeen explained that clubfoot affects approximately 1 to 2 in every 1,000 live births. He debunked common myths, advising parents and traditional practitioners against attributing the condition to "spiritual afflictions." He stressed that early medical diagnosis and a treatment plan—which can last 4 to 5 years until skeletal maturity—can fully correct the deformity and allow the child to lead a normal life.

​A significant highlight of the partnership is that treatment for newborns is fully funded by Johns Hopkins, making it free of charge for parents at designated centers. These centers include General Hospital Odan, LASUTH, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, among others. Dr. Obaitan Iretenevesho, a convener of the program, introduced a new referral form designed to simplify the process for TBAs to send cases to these specialized clinics.

Representing the LSTMB, Mrs. Aisha Adams urged all participants to take the training seriously, noting that the Lagos State government prioritizes mother and child health above all else. By integrating traditional practitioners into the formal referral pathway, the state hopes to significantly reduce the number of children living with untreated clubfoot. The program represents a major step forward in community-based healthcare and specialized pediatric orthopedics.