Youssef Allam Group was incorporated during the past century over a set
of pillars; as the Group was established based on making profit similar to any
economic institution while preserving the environment and developing society.
Such pillars continued to pass down through the subsequent generations of the
Group embracing the notion of the late Youssef Bek Allam in his interest in all
societal aspects besides to the profit factor. On this basis, the Club Foot
project was launched between Rotary El-Shorouk Club and Youssef Allam Group;
which is one of the society-based initiatives of Youssef Allam Group that aims
for the provision of necessary support and care to children with clubfoot
condition, which is a congenital condition causing a twist of foot at birth
that deprives the child from playing or even walking.
In the light of the Group’s societal standards compatibility with the
third objective under the UN Sustainable Development Goals “good health and
well-being”, the project’s concept initiated, as the members of Rotary
El-Shorouk Club were keen to study clubfoot treatment importance that affects
the life of many children in Egypt.
Objectives & Vision:
The project aims at achieving several key objectives that are upheld by
Youssef Allam Group, which include:
1- Provision of the necessary treatment: Providing appropriate
physiotherapy to children with clubfoot through the provision of shoes, splints,
physiotherapy, surgical operations, if needed.
2- Awareness and Education: Disseminating awareness regarding the
clubfoot condition among families and local community, as well as providing
them with the needed education regarding the importance of early treatment and knowing
how to identify the relevant symptoms.
3- Training medical cadres: Organizing training courses for local
medical cadres for ensuring the provision of effective and sustainable medical
care for children with clubfoot condition.
4- Psycho-social support: Providing psychosocial support for children
and their families for helping them overcome challenges associated to that
condition.
Activities
and Events:
In line with Youssef Allam Group’s commitment to support the local
society and achieve sustainable development through participating with Rotary
El-Shorouk Club, a cooperation protocol was signed with Al-Azhar University in
the presence of Dr. Mohamed Fekry Khedr, Vice-President of Al-Azhar University,
Girls Branch, and supervised by Dr. Mahmoud Seddik, Vice-President of Al-Azhar
University for post-graduate studies and researches, and general supervisor on university
hospital sector for clinic duties and reception of cases thereat. The previously
mentioned protocol includes supporting (clubfoot treatment unit) at Al-Zahraa
University Hospital, which was incorporated in 2003, as the first clinic to
provide special shoes for treating children with clubfoot condition at no cost,
and in cooperation with an American institution namely “Miracle Feet” that
cares to provide treatment for children with clubfoot condition. Clubfoot
unit’s doctors at Al-Zahraa Hospital, Orthopedics section, assume their duties
pertaining to the provision of medical service to newborns up to 4 years old at
no cost until a complete recovery and attaining a natural foot.
The project aims at treating 108 cases throughout the first year
thereof, since a two-year period has been specified for pursuing with such
treatments. An actual training was initiated to Al-Azhar University doctors by
experts from Miracle Feet International Institution, and Dr. Yasser El-Batrawy,
Professor of Orthopedics Surgery and Unit Head of Orthotic and Orthopedic
lengthening at Al-Azhar University. Such activities include the following: -
1- Free clinics: Establishing free clinics in various areas for the
provision of examination and diagnosis of children with clubfoot condition.
2- Educational workshops: Conducting workshops for families and society
for educating them with clubfoot and methods of dealing with it.
3- Training medical cadres: Organizing training courses for doctors and
nurses to improve their skills in treating children with clubfoot condition.
4- Educational events: Organizing educational events such as conferences
and seminars for awareness- raising pertaining to clubfoot condition, and
highlighting the importance of early treatment thereof.
The project commenced under the leadership of Mr. Rafaat Refila, Rotary
El-Shorouk President, then continued to go on under the leadership of Ms.
Zainab Diaa El-Din, current President, in cooperation with Miracle Feet
Institution and Youssef Allam Group, which provided experts for obtaining
approvals from the Ministry of Health, Customs Clearance and Stocking.
Clubfoot project is deemed an exemplary in the charitable and
humanitarian work, as it underlines the importance of partnership and
cooperation among organizations for achieving common objectives that serve the
interest of society. Owing to this project, many children will be able to
overcome clubfoot challenges and can lead a normal life, which enhances the
importance of continuing these efforts and expansion thereof in the future.
