Argentina Update – Written by Elisa Oviedo, RC of Ground Bourg

November 28, 2022

In March 2022, training was carried out by the Vocation Training Team (VTT) Dr. Morcuende, Dr. Paz and Dra. Nogueira. Initially for seven hospitals in Argentina where 70% of clubfoot cases are found. We also delivered 500 splints and equipped the clinics so that the Ponseti Clinics could function. We also delivered printed material. The second visit of the VTT was in October, finding the hospitals in full application of the Ponseti Method. Two hospitals were added that we had not originally planned.

Being such a successful project, Rotary and the World Health Organization invited grant primary contacts to present at the WHO headquarters in Geneva to coincide with World Day 2022 Polio and Beyond, October 22.

We transferred the invitation to the VTT, happily they were able to travel to Geneva. Dr. Morcuende gave a 7 minute lecture with a very concise and sensitive PowerPoint presentation and answered questions. This project was selected along with 20 – 25 other Global Grants from around the world focused on Maternal and Child Health, a privilege!

Brazil (GG1638412) Ponseti Method Training Grant

November 28, 2022

Written by Dr. Monica Nogueira, RC Saõ Paulo-Sudeste
Brazilian global grant 1638412 -Erradicando o Pé Torto no Brasil (dist 4420, 6000, 5970 and 5300) is progressing and in September we´ve been in Belem for the evaluation of the north region. We had presentations of the doctors from the 4 states, and doctors from Belem (Raul Boetger, Paulo Braga) showed a structured reference Ponseti clinic in their new children Hospital. The state of Amazonas is being organized, and putting together forces to increment their clinic in the public hospitals. We had very good news from Rio Branco, Acre, with Dr Nelson Marquesini, with a reference clinic very organized there, and we had a great opportunity to train Dr Roberto Dourado, from Macapá, Amapá, and he has the support of the parents association there, very active.

Iowa’s Gift to the World funding for 5 symposiums

The north region evaluation is the second of 5 different evaluation simposiae, one per Brazilian region. We check if the clinics were implemented, if they are working well, and all the indicators for a good reference clinic.

The first was in Recife, Pernambuco, for the Northest region, in April 29 and 30, 2022.

We had a very important symposium in São Carlos, in June 11 and 12, for the evaluation of all national foot abduction braces for clubfoot.

Sao Paulo meeting of the Ponseti Method June 10 – 11 in Sao Carlos Eradicating (GG1638412) and orthotizing (GG1981190) of congenital clubfoot.

There are 3 more important symposiae, scheduled for next year: Evaluation of South Region, in Porto Alegre March 24 and 25th, evaluation of the Center West Region, in Campo Grande, May 26 and 27th, and evaluation of Region Southeast in Rio de Janeiro, August 18 and 19th 2023.

GG1981190 “Ortetizando o pé torto no Brasil”
(English translation, Orthetizing clubfoot in Brazil)

3000 braces from the 3 best braces were bought by a new global grant 1981190 “Ortetizando o pé torto no Brasil” Rotary districts 4540 RC S Carlos Norte, 4420 RC SP Sudeste, and Santo Andre, and districts 1870 and 1830, from RC Willich, Germany and doctors from the whole State of São Paulo presented their 21 ponseti reference clinics with wonderful results.

RAG4Clubfoot at the ALL Iowa District Conference, April 22 & 23

March 26, 2022


Visit RAG4Clubfoot in the House of Friendship during the ALL Iowa District Conference in Coralville, April 22 & 23. Iowa Districts 5970 and 6000 are partners in the formation of the Rotary Action Group for Clubfoot (RAG4Clubfoot). Let’s celebrate together our achievements to support Ponseti Method trainings in many countries: Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Peru and Ecuador. Where will we make an impact next?

Ponseti Method Training Activities begin in Argentina

March 26, 2022

Training for the treatment of clubfoot with the Ponseti Method was held in Buenos Aires on March 21 – 25, 2022. A very productive and high-quality experience due to the excellence of the trainers, Dr. Mónica Nogueira and Dr. José Morcuende. There are 8 participants, from 8 public hospitals in the country. The course consists of theoretical content with talks, practice with manual work and plaster training, discussion of cases and patients in hospitals. Participants are very happy to be able to carry out this experience.

Submitted by
Dr. Miguel J.M. Paz
Jefe del Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología Infantil
Hospital Universitario Austral

Ponseti Method Training activities begin in Argentina.

Ponseti Method Training in Argentina Global Grant approved by The Rotary Foundation

March 28, 2021

The Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. (Iowa, USA) and the Rotary Club of Grant Bourge (Buenos Aires, Argentina) have collaborated to write a Global Grant with the purpose to train orthopedists in the Ponseti Method.  The request has been approved by The Rotary Foundation.

A Ponseti Method Training Seminar is to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina later this year.  Its goal is to train 7 (seven) pediatric surgeons from Argentina’s Pediatric State Hospitals to achieve the eradication of clubfoot in this country.  The seven hospitals the surgeons represent have committed to dedicate an office for the Ponseti Clinics where the orthopedists will talk to parents of children born with clubfoot, treat patients, and keep a registry of the cases treated.

Argentina has a population of 44 million inhabitants and the number of babies born with clubfoot per year is estimated to be 1,000.

The grant hosts are the Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. (Iowa, USA) and the Rotary Club of Grand Bourge (Buenos Aires, Argentina).  Additional funders are the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids Downtown Club (Iowa, USA) and individual Rotarians.

If your district/club is interested in contributing financially to a future Ponseti Method training, please contact us at info@rag4clubfoot.org

 

Ponseti Method Training in Argentina Global Grant submitted to The Rotary Foundation for review

October 4, 2020

We seek Rotary Districts interested to provide District Designated Funds (DDF) to support this project.  Please contact info@rag4clubfoot.org for more information.

The Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. (Iowa, USA) and the Rotary Club of Grand Bourge (Buenos Aires, Argentina) have collaborated to write a Global Grant to train orthopedists in the Ponseti Method.  The request has been submitted to The Rotary Foundation and they await to hear their decision.  A summary of the project is given below.

A Ponseti Method (PM) Training Seminar to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Its goal is to train pediatric surgeons to achieve the eradication of clubfoot in that country. It was at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) where Dr. Ponseti started and perfected the method that carries his name.

Argentina has a population of 44 million inhabitants and the number of new cases per year is estimated to be 1,000. The number of children and adults who live with clubfoot is not known.

There will be 7 (seven) pediatric surgeons from Argentina’s Pediatric State Hospitals.  The seven hospitals the surgeons represent have committed to dedicate an office for the Ponseti Clinics (PC) where the surgeons will talk to parents of children born with clubfoot, treat patients, and keep a registry of the cases treated.

The Training Seminar will have an 8 (eight) months’ duration, and its Leader will be Dr. Jose Morcuende, PIA Director in Iowa City, Iowa, USA.  The first part of the seminar will last 5 (five) days, during which Dr. Morcuende will inform about and teach the PM to the surgeons. During the second part, the pediatric surgeons will set up a Ponseti Clinic in each one of their hospitals, where they will talk to parents of children with clubfoot, treat the patients, and keep a record of the number of cases they treat. The pediatric surgeons will be invited to participate, every three months, in web seminars for Latin America, organized by the Ponseti International Association (PIA). During the third part, Dr. Morcuende will return to Argentina to check on the PC, to see the patients’ registries, and to answer questions the doctors may have.

The institutions that collaborate to organize this PM Seminar are: 1. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Rotary Club Grand Bourg, and Dr. Miguel Paz, Pediatric Surgeon, Malvinas Argentinas Pediatric Hospital; 2. In the USA, the PM International, Rotary International D6000, and the Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M.; Dr. Jose Morcuende, PM Director, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA.

Written by Nenu Piragine, Rotarian of the Iowa City AM Club.