- Landmark three-year initiative launched on World Clubfoot Day to transform the lives of children born with a treatable disability
• More than 10,000 children across Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh to receive treatment and long-term follow-up care
• Programme to strengthen 67 clubfoot clinics in 61 districts through the National Health Mission’s public healthcare network
• Over 30,000 frontline health workers to be sensitised for early detection and timely referral of affected children
• Partnership combines Adani Foundation’s community development reach with Anushkaa Foundation’s specialised expertise in clubfoot elimination
• Initiative unveiled ahead of Adani Foundation’s 30th anniversary, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive healthcare and child well-being
NE HEALTH BUREAU
KANPUR, JUNE 3
In a significant push towards eliminating one of the world’s most treatable childhood disabilities, the Adani Foundation and the Anushkaa Foundation have joined hands to provide treatment and follow-up care to more than 10,000 children affected by clubfoot across five states over the next three years.
Announced on World Clubfoot Day, the partnership seeks to expand access to life-changing treatment, strengthen public healthcare systems and improve long-term outcomes for children in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh.
The initiative was formally launched at Manyavar Kanshiram Samyukth Chikitsalay and Trauma Centre in Kanpur, a city located in one of the states carrying the highest burden of clubfoot cases in the country. Uttar Pradesh alone is estimated to record nearly 6,000 clubfoot births annually, underscoring the urgent need for timely diagnosis and intervention.
Clubfoot is a congenital condition in which one or both feet are twisted inward at birth, affecting approximately one in every 800 newborns worldwide. Although the condition can be effectively corrected through the globally recognised Ponseti method, thousands of children in underserved communities continue to miss early treatment, resulting in avoidable mobility challenges and social barriers later in life.
Building on the Anushkaa Foundation’s established clubfoot care programme, the new initiative will deploy a comprehensive model that integrates community outreach, clinical intervention, healthcare capacity building and family support services.
Implemented in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM), the programme will focus on strengthening early identification mechanisms, improving referral pathways, expanding treatment access and enhancing clinical capabilities within the public healthcare system.
As part of the initiative, 67 clubfoot clinics across 61 districts will receive support, while 51 healthcare professionals will be trained and strengthened to deliver specialised care. Additionally, more than 30,000 frontline health workers will be sensitised to identify affected children early and facilitate timely referrals for treatment.
Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation, said: “No child should be held back by a condition like clubfoot that is treatable when identified early. Every child deserves the opportunity to move, learn, play, and participate fully in life. Creating opportunities for specially abled individuals has long been central to the Adani Foundation’s philosophy, and this partnership reflects that commitment. As the Anushkaa Foundation works towards a future free from clubfoot, we are honoured to advance that mission. Together, we aim to enable more children to live with dignity, independence and the opportunity to realise their full potential.”
Highlighting the importance of scaling early intervention, Deepak Premnarayen, Founder, Anushkaa Foundation, said: “Clubfoot is one of the most treatable childhood disabilities, yet thousands of children still miss timely care every year. This partnership with the Adani Foundation will help expand access to quality treatment across 61 districts in five states while strengthening systems for early diagnosis and intervention. Together, we can ensure that a treatable condition does not become a lifelong barrier to mobility and opportunity.”
India records an estimated 33,000 clubfoot births annually, with nearly 12,000 cases emerging each year across the five states covered by the programme. By expanding access to treatment, strengthening referral systems and supporting families throughout the treatment journey, the initiative seeks to address a substantial share of the country’s clubfoot burden through sustainable public healthcare mechanisms.
The programme also marks a milestone in the Adani Foundation’s journey as it approaches its 30th anniversary on August 11. The Foundation currently operates across 22 states and impacts more than 13.3 million beneficiaries annually through interventions spanning healthcare, education, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience and community development.
Founded by the Premnarayen family and inspired by lived experience, the Anushkaa Foundation has emerged as one of India’s leading organisations dedicated to eliminating clubfoot through public health partnerships, clinical capacity building and family-centred care. The organisation currently supports programmes across 165 districts in 13 states and has facilitated treatment for more than 26,000 children.
Today, one in every six children born with clubfoot in India receives treatment through an Anushkaa-supported clinic, reflecting the growing impact of community-driven healthcare partnerships in transforming lives and ensuring that a treatable condition does not become a lifelong disability.
