PLAN Foundation Promotes Health Awareness and Early Clubfoot Detection at Igede Women’s Thanksgiving in Ibadan. On 26 September 2026, PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) conducted a health outreach and clubfoot sensitisation activity during the Oyo State Yearly Igede Women’s Thanksgiving held at God Assembly Church, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The outreach brought together members of the Igede women’s community, families, and other participants attending the annual thanksgiving programme. With over 200 people participating in the health testing and related activities, the event provided an important platform for promoting preventive healthcare, encouraging early detection of health concerns, and increasing public understanding of clubfoot and the importance of seeking timely care.
Providing Access to Basic Health Screening and Preventive Health Information
A major component of the outreach was the provision of free basic health screening services, giving participants an opportunity to check important health indicators and receive relevant health information.
Participants benefited from free blood pressure (BP) checks, blood sugar level testing, and malaria testing as part of the health outreach. These services provided an opportunity for individuals to become more aware of their health status and identify possible health concerns that may require further attention.
The blood pressure and blood sugar checks supported the promotion of early detection and awareness of common health conditions, particularly among adults who may not routinely undergo health screening. The free malaria testing also provided participants with an opportunity to be tested and receive appropriate health information based on the outcome of the screening.
The testing activities reinforced the importance of regular health checks, early identification of potential health concerns, and seeking appropriate medical care when necessary. By bringing these services closer to the community, PLAN Foundation contributed to making basic preventive health information and screening more accessible to participants at the event.
Clinical Follow-up and Safety
The M&E report flags the 200/126 mmHg blood pressure reading for immediate emergency clinical assessment and the 186/113 mmHg reading for urgent assessment. It also recommends prompt assessment of the 348 mg/dL and 55 mg/dL random blood sugar results. These are screening readings, not confirmed diagnoses. The report does not document clinical follow-up outcomes or confirm that referrals were completed.
Recommended Follow-up Actions
- Prioritise urgent clinical assessment for severely elevated blood pressure readings and activate emergency care where indicated.
- Arrange prompt clinical assessment and document follow-up for random blood sugar results of 348 mg/dL and 55 mg/dL.
- Repeat and verify abnormal blood pressure and pulse measurements using appropriate technique and validated equipment, where clinically appropriate.
- Provide clear, non-stigmatising health education on blood pressure, blood glucose, healthy lifestyles and adherence to prescribed care.
- Maintain a confidential referral and follow-up register to document referrals offered, attendance, repeat measurements and outcomes.
- Protect participant privacy and ensure clinical review of figures before publication.
Data note: The M&E report analysed 27 screening records, while the article describes over 200 people participating in the wider outreach and related activities. These counts refer to different scopes and are presented separately. No participant names or contact details are published.
Promoting Early Identification and Treatment of Clubfoot
Alongside the health screening activities, participants were sensitized on clubfoot, a congenital condition that affects the positioning of a child’s foot. The sensitization focused on the importance of recognizing the condition early, seeking appropriate medical attention, and ensuring that affected children are referred for treatment as soon as possible.
The clubfoot sensitization component of the outreach was designed to address common gaps in awareness and encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to understand that clubfoot is treatable, particularly when identified and managed early.
Participants were educated on how untreated clubfoot can affect a child’s mobility and development. They were encouraged to pay attention to unusual positioning of a newborn or young child’s foot and to seek professional medical advice rather than relying on unverified traditional or home-based interventions.
The sensitization also highlighted the importance of completing treatment and attending scheduled follow-up appointments. Parents and caregivers were encouraged to support children throughout the treatment process to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Key Objectives of the Outreach
The activity focused on several key objectives, including:
- Increasing awareness of clubfoot and its potential impact on children when left untreated.
- Educating parents and caregivers on the importance of early identification of clubfoot in newborns and young children.
- Encouraging families to seek appropriate medical care and referral when clubfoot is identified.
- Promoting awareness of available treatment options for children affected by clubfoot.
- Emphasising the importance of treatment adherence, follow-up appointments, and continued care.
- Providing free blood pressure, blood sugar, and malaria testing to participants.
- Promoting preventive healthcare and encouraging community members to pay greater attention to their health.
- Strengthening community knowledge and encouraging early referral for children who may require clubfoot services.
Strengthening Community Awareness
Community-based engagements such as the Igede Women’s Thanksgiving provide valuable opportunities to take health information and basic screening services directly to families and community groups in settings where people naturally gather.
Integrating health testing with clubfoot sensitisation helped create a broader platform for health promotion, allowing participants to access basic screening while also receiving important information about children’s health and the early identification of clubfoot.
PLAN Foundation remains committed to strengthening community awareness, promoting early detection and referral, and supporting access to appropriate healthcare services for children and families, particularly those who may face barriers to timely care. Through community-based outreach activities, the organisation continues to promote a culture of prevention, early intervention, and informed health-seeking behaviour.
PLAN Foundation is a member of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the World Patients Alliance (WPA), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the Stop TB Partnership, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD), the Global Health Council (GHC), as well as various other relevant regional and global networks, movements, and professional associations aligned with its vision of a Nigeria where the individual, family, and community are adequately empowered to protect themselves against poverty, underdevelopment, and the spread of diseases.
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