DRC: Nearly 900 children born with clubfoot received free treatment in nine months

From January to September 2026, 878 children born with clubfoot—516 boys and 362 girls—received free care at Hope Walks’ 16 clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Vincent Semu, a clinical psychologist with the organization, said insecurity, distance from treatment centers and transport costs still prevent many families, particularly in the east, from accessing care. The number treated fell from at least 1,000 children in 2025. Hope Walks is raising awareness in communities and calls on the Congolese government and international partners to increase support, as an estimated 5,300 children are born with clubfoot in the country each year.