April 6, 2022

In late March 2022, a VTT training program for doctors from seven hospitals in the City of Buenos Aires and the Provinces of Bueunos Aires and Santa Fe, where 70% of the child population with clubfoot reside.

They are the following:
1. Claudio Zin Pediatric Hospital, city of Malvinas Argentinas, province of Buenos Aires (training center)
2. Children’s Hospital “Sor Juana Ludovica” – La Plata, capital of the province of Buenos Aires
3. Children’s Hospital Dr. Pedro de Elizalde (formerly Casa Cuna), city of Buenos Aires
4. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan Pediatric Hospital, city of Buenos Aires
5. Victor J Vilela Children’s Hospital, city of Rosario, province of Santa Fe
6. Pediatric Hospital Federico Falcón, city of Buenos Aires
7. Prof. Alejandro Posadas National Hospital, city of Buenos Aires

At the end of a comprehensive training, followed by adequate guidance and clinical experience, they will be fully qualified to correct the deformity of clubfoot using the Ponseti Method (PM). Next, they will establish “Ponseti Clinics”, in their hospitals. The offices will be remodeled in order to provide them with an image that identifies them with Ponseti International Association (PIA) and Rotary International.

We will offer a space attuned to the interests of the children who will be cared for there, knowing that emotional balance plays an important role in the patient’s recovery.

Recently trained professionals will be prepared to raise awareness of this deformity and its treatment.

Likewise, the parents of the children in treatment will be involved.

This project will be carried out in collaboration with PIA.
The training with the VTT will be carried out over one week. Once completed, Dr. Miguel Paz of Argentina will make periodic visits to the new Ponseti Clinics in each of the hospitals. In October, the Leader of the VTT, Dr. José Morcuende, will return to supervise the hospitals and observe and report on progress in the application of the Ponseti Method in the aforementioned Clinics. The project will provide the material necessary – casts and braces – to care for patients using the PM. Each medical professional will also be given reference material identifying Rotary International and PIA in the form of a follow-up workbook.

The total for this project is USD$49,000 and was financed by:
RC of Grand Bourg
RC Iowa City AM
Rotary International D4905-Argentina
Rotary International D6000 – USA
The Rotary Foundation

Theoretical training and practice will be carried out in the Claudio Zin Pediatric Hospital in Malvinas and in the Dr. Juan P. Garrahan Pediatric Hospital, city of Buenos Aires. Donations were delivered which consisted for the installation of Ponseti Clinics: desks, multifunction furniture, chairs, stools, stretchers with covers, vinyl, manuals, family Guides, triptych posters, braces, plaster and gauze. The delivery of materials is nearly complete.

Visits to the hospitals will continue in order to carry out planned follow-up.

2022_April_Bulletin_RC_of_Grand_Bourg_Argentina 4 6 2022