Kafika House: A low-cost, efficient rehabilitation programme for children with treatable disabilities
An occupational therapist, Jaclyn Lekule takes down some data from a child with clubfoot condition.
What you need to know:
- Founded in 2008 with its base in Arusha, Kafika House is commonly referred to as a haven place of residence for the-away-from-home children with disabilities receiving pre-and post-operative care and rehabilitation care.
- Jaclyn Lekule, Occupational Therapist at Kafika House says that the Centre houses children on pre-and-post operative care and rehabilitation sessions for a surgically treatable disability.
Arusha. Children are the trophies of our lives. However, when a child is born with a disability many challenges can follow. Clubfoot is among the leading abnormalities that face many children in the country.
According to the CCBRT 2021’s data, approximately 2,200 children were born per year with clubfoot in Tanzania. The ratio roughly stood at 5:2 for male and female respectively.
It is devastating to see children with uncorrected clubfoot roaming the streets just on the grounds of superstitious beliefs or limited awareness of the deformity while it could once be successfully treated.
Technically, clubfoot is a congenital defect in which the foot is curved inwards and downwards. Medical reports state that the cause of clubfoot is unknown. Babies with clubfoot are usually healthy.
In clubfoot, the foot appears twisted and can even look as if it’s upside down. Despite its appearance, clubfoot itself doesn’t cause any discomfort or pain. However, in most cases, the discomfort and pain occur once the child is older and start bearing weight on an untreated clubfoot.
Clubfoot is classified into three different types: idiopathic (unknown cause), neurogenic (caused by condition of the nervous system) and syndromic (related to an underlying syndrome).
Treatment is usually successful in early stages. It includes manipulation and casting (Ponseti method). Sometimes, surgery is required.
Whilst the Tanzanian health system advancing their scope of medical and surgical interventions, there is an increased need for rehabilitation to optimise the outcomes of these interventions. And Kafika House is that partner to hold on to.
Founded in 2008 with its base in Arusha, Kafika House is commonly referred to as a haven place of residence for the-away-from-home children with disabilities receiving pre-and post-operative care and rehabilitation care.
Jaclyn Lekule, Occupational Therapist at Kafika House says that the Centre houses children on pre-and-post operative care and rehabilitation sessions for a surgically treatable disability.
“After surgery, children begin an intensive rehabilitation programme to start adjusting to their new lives.
We manage medications, change bandages, and provide physical and occupational therapies, all while still delivering the intangibles of childhood through education, nutrition and play.”
Kafika House recruits in-patients through outreach programmes particularly the sidelined communities as well as providing pre-operative care and surgical care at one of their five affiliated hospitals.
Jaclyn Lekule (second right) and her co-worker (right) attend a child with clubfoot.
The facility goes beyond treatment as it leaves a patient with a memory of his/her healing journey from pre-operation, during the operation and post-operation.
Understanding the heavy burden of medical bills on the shoulders of many parents, Kafika House doesn’t let cost get in the way of a child receiving the treatment they deserve. Parents are asked to contribute within their means, and the facility covers the rest.
“We know how challenging it can be navigating this journey alone, so we lend a helping hand to families by arranging surgeries, advocating for their needs and communicating with doctors to make sure every child gets treated fairly.”
In addition to clubfoot, the facility treats patients with skeletal fluorosis, burn scar contractures, cleft lip and palate, masses, osteomyelitis, hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
Milestone and aspirations
Ms Jaclyn elaborates that the house has treated more than 1000 children with clubfoot conditions to date.
“We are proud to see children have healed, looking totally different now compared to the how they came in. The young ones will grow up normal and the older children can now go back to school and pursue their dreams.”
“We really want to see these children play football, go to school, share playgrounds with their peers as normal, that’s the touchpoint we have always dreamed of,” she said.
Kafika House also conducts a handful of rehabilitation, pre-and post- operative care, training sessions to mothers and guardians of the admitted children.
Challenges
As every journey has highs and lows, for Kafika House grabbing local donors has been a challenge.
“With these types of high-tech and costly rehabilitative procedures, you need an extra prop or hand to help you sail through, therefore we urge especially Tanzanians to join us in this mission and give these children the gift of a joyful childhood,” Ms Jaclyn added.
Celebrating World Clubfoot Day
Kafika House plans to use this day to continue to raise awareness about clubfoot, a disability that is lesser known to many. She believes that only literacy can help reverse the situation.
“If parents possess the right insight, we may have reduced the cases of children with clubfoot in our families.”
Their message is centred on children who are the key beacon of change for the future.
Kafika House will use both traditional and multimedia channels to advocate for the awareness of clubfoot among the society for critically challenging the surrounding myth.
Remarks
Despite having only 400 surgeons in a country of over 60 million population, if you take your child with clubfoot to the hospital at a younger age, the success rate is high.
She still urges parents and guardians from across the country to never keep their children with disabilities inside and instead rush them to the specialised centres for treatment.
