Latest news with #STEPS
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Changing lives one step at a time: Celebrating 20 Years of STEPS Clubfoot Care
Clubfoot affects 1 to 2 babies per 1,000 live births worldwide, yet despite its prevalence in Africa, it is completely treatable. Image: Ian Landsberg In a world where a life-changing intervention can mean the difference between mobility and limitation, STEPS Clubfoot Care celebrates two decades of impactful service this Tuesday, 3 June 2025, coinciding with World Clubfoot Day. Since its inception, STEPS has touched the lives of over 12,000 children across South Africa, empowering families and redefining futures through the power of early intervention. Clubfoot, a congenital condition that affects the positioning of a baby's foot, twists it downward and inward, making treatment paramount for the child's future mobility. Every year, at least 2,000 newborns in South Africa are diagnosed with this condition, yet it remains entirely treatable thanks to the Ponseti Method—a non-invasive approach that realigns the foot and provides pain-free mobility for 95% of its patients. Born from a mother's determination to overcome fear and uncertainty, STEPS was founded by Karen Moss in response to her son's clubfoot diagnosis. Struggling with limited treatment options at the time, she discovered the Ponseti Method during a visit to Dr. Ignaçio Ponseti in Iowa, USA. This experience ignited a commitment to ensure no parent in South Africa need to face clubfoot alone. 'No parent should ever feel hopeless after a clubfoot diagnosis,' Karen reflected. 'I wanted to build a local network equipped with the guidance necessary to deliver expert care and tangible results. This commitment still drives STEPS today.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ STEPS Clubfoot Care celebrates two decades of impactful service Image: Ian Landsberg As Southern Africa's only dedicated organisation for clubfoot treatment, STEPS has established a robust network of 48 partner clinics across all provinces, a monumental increase from just a handful in its early days. Healthcare professionals numbering over 2,000 have been trained, ensuring that the message of early diagnosis and treatment resonates on a national level. Beyond statistics, STEPS has powerful stories woven into its tapestry of triumphs. For mom Moreblessing Hurungo, from Mfuleni who gave birth on 23 May 2025, the help received for baby Tanashe is not only a blessing, but also a life changer. "When my child was born, I was very very worried, it was not straight, I didnt know his feet can be fixed, thought he'd live like this forever, I didnt expect this. "Now with his feet, the baby will be able to do everything a normal child can do. I am so happy, he will be fine." Axolile Madolo from the Eastern Cape who faced the harrowing news that her newborn son, Musa, had bilateral clubfoot. 'A wave of fear came over me, the anxiety and thought, of 'what did I do wrong?' "I didn't know what clubfoot was or where to go,' she recalled. But support from STEPS transformed her anxiety into action. Today, 18-month-old Musa is thriving, confidently taking his first steps and enjoying life alongside his siblings. Moreblessing Hurungo and her son Tanashe with Jane Mackinnon, Steps clinic coordinator Image: Ian Landsberg The Hartnicks faced a similar ordeal when their daughter, Kendall, was born with the condition. 'We were clueless about what to do,' admitted her father, Lorenzo. At Tygerberg Hospital's Clubfoot Clinic, the family found a clear treatment path that included casting and bracing. Now, following a successful recovery, two-and-a-half-year-old Kendall runs and plays like any other child, testament to STEPS' dedication and the committed healthcare professionals within its reach. The sustainable, collaborative model that STEPS has developed with state health institutions and the South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society continues to shift the narrative of clubfoot care in the region. Notably, in 2025 alone, seven new partner clinics were added, reinforcing an impressive 700% growth since 2015. Significantly, STEPS has partnered with leading hospitals like Tygerberg and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in the Western Cape and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Gauteng to enhance care delivery and to ensure children complete the full clubfoot correction process. This collaboration has notably reduced the number of families who abandon treatment midway due to logistical or financial hurdles. 'Awareness can lead to early treatment and full mobility,' said Dr. Marí Thiart, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Tygerberg Hospital, emphasising the vital role of informed caregiving in tackling this common condition.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Big US-funded chicken project shuts down in Lesotho
A $31.4 million (about R562-million) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) project aimed at transforming Lesotho's poultry sector has been terminated. The five-year initiative, launched under the American Food for Progress programme, planned to grow 28,000 poultry enterprises in Lesotho, boosting meat production by 40% and egg production by 30% by 2028. Dubbed the Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS), the project was also designed to reduce Lesotho's heavy dependence on imported poultry products by empowering local farmers through access to quality inputs, financial training, and market linkages. The broader aim was to improve food security and increase incomes along the value chain. Announcing the project, the USDA said in 2021 that Lesotho had imported poultry products worth $39-million, with more than 80% of poultry meat sourced from neighbouring countries. The country also imports inputs such as fertile eggs, day-old chicks, livestock feed, services, and veterinary products. In an October 2023 statement, the US Embassy in Maseru said Land O'Lakes Venture37, an American company, had been selected to implement the programme in Lesotho. It partnered with the International Research Institute, the World Poultry Foundation, and the locally based Rural Self-Help Development Association. But less than two years after its launch, the STEPS project has been terminated. Reuters reported earlier this month that the USDA had notified grantees on 14 May 2025 that their Food for Progress awards had been ended. Speaking to GroundUp, Rural Self-Help Managing Director 'Mampho Thulo confirmed the news, saying her organisation had been notified of the decision by its partner Land O'Lakes last week. Land O'Lakes technical advisor Tsoteli Kuleile told GroundUp that the company had been told to suspend the project and to refer all communication to the company's country director, Fidel O' Donovan. However, O' Donovan has not responded to questions sent to him by GroundUp . 'WE DIDN'T SEE IT COMING' Thulo said their association had been worried after the US withdrew funding from other initiatives, such as USAID and PEPFAR projects, and the recent R6-billion Millennium Challenge Account. However, she had believed agricultural projects would be spared. 'We still had our fears, but we were over 90% confident that it would not be terminated… We thought they would be careful not to cut agriculture grants, especially those that transform agricultural products,' Thulo said. She said the STEPS project was still in its early stages. A training curriculum for farmers was being finalised and tenders were being prepared for construction projects. According to Thulo, Rural Self-Help was responsible for a $1.2-million budget under the STEPS project. The sudden halt has left thousands of poultry farmers in limbo. While Land O'Lakes focused on national-level commercial farming, Rural Self-Help was actively engaged with grassroots farmers across seven districts, according to Thulo. The targeted districts were Botha Bothe, Leribe, Berea, Maseru, Mafeteng, Mohale's Hoek, and Quthing, with Rural Self-Help focusing on broiler and egg layer production. In those districts, Thulo said the organisation was working with farmers ranging from those raising chickens for subsistence to farmers keeping 500 chickens. 'The plan was to support 23,000 to 28,000 businesses by 2028,' she added. Thulo said she had to break the news to beneficiaries. 'This beautiful project, meant to transform your poultry enterprises, is no more. We are shocked, and the farmers are shocked too.' The association plans to meet with farmer representatives this week to chart a path forward. Thulo said more than 10 staff members had been sent home. Limpho Salai, chairperson of the Basotho Poultry Farmers Association, whose members were primary beneficiaries of the project, told GroundUp that Land O'Lakes technical advisor Kuleile had instructed him not to speak to the media and to refer all inquiries to him. GroundUp asked for comment from the US Embassy in Maseru but no response had been received by the time of publication. Previously, the Embassy has referred similar inquiries to the US foreign affairs administration in Washington.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Steps' Faye Tozer ‘splits from husband of 16 years' and moves out of marital home
STEPS' Faye Tozer has reportedly split from her husband of 16 years, moving out of their marital home just weeks before Christmas. Singer Faye, 49, is said to have left the family's South Tyneside home, sparking concern after her husband Mick Smith, 43, posted a series of emotional messages on social media. 1 Despite once calling him her 'rock' and 'partner in crime,' Faye and businessman Mick are understood to be 'going through some things'. Cryptic Instagram posts have fuelled fears that the 'Strictly curse' may have struck again - albeit several years late.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme hits the mark by improving hypertension, diabetes control in T.N.
By taking healthcare directly to the people's doorsteps, Tamil Nadu's flagship scheme - 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' (MTM) - has demonstrated an improvement in the management of hypertension and diabetes in the State. Among adults with hypertension, the proportion with blood pressure control rose to 17%, whereas for diabetes, the proportion with blood sugar control rose to 16.7%. This finding from Tamil Nadu STEPS (World Health Organization STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance) Survey 2023-2024, which was taken up by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), comes as an early indicator of MTM's reach. The scheme was rolled out in August 2021. Survey findings T. S. Selvavinayagam, director, Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said that the survey reflected community-level control among the population. 'This survey substantiates the efforts taken by the State government under MTM to achieve the Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLI) set by the World Bank. It is a great achievement considering our population and number of years since we took up intensive efforts across the State,' he said. To evaluate the progress of initiatives in line with theProgram for Results basis, the World Bank laid down DLIs of six percentage points for improvement in the control rate of diabetes and three percentage points for hypertension. In the baseline survey (TN STEPS Survey 2019-20), the control rate was 7.3% for hypertension and 10.8% for diabetes, Archana Ramalingam, scientist-E (Medical), Division of NCD Epidemiology, ICMR-NIE, said. 'We started the second survey (TN STEPS Survey 2023-24) in November 2023 and completed it by the end of March 2024. We had 8,114 participants across the State. We found that among adults with hypertension, the proportion with blood pressure control rose to 17%. Similarly, for diabetes, the proportion with blood sugar control rose to 16.7%,' she added. Improved disease control Dr. Archana said that the survey results showed a clear improvement in terms of the proportion diagnosed, initiated for treatment and blood pressure control for hypertension. 'There was a significant improvement in the percentage of patients diagnosed with hypertension - from 32% in the baseline survey to about 47% in the second survey. In the case of diabetes, the baseline survey showed that 53% had already been diagnosed, and 44% were receiving treatment. While the second survey did not show much improvement in the percentage diagnosed due to a high baseline, the proportion with blood sugar control improved to 16.7%,' she added. Post-MTM, there has been a definite improvement in the management of hypertension and diabetes, she said. 'Improving regular medication access through Women Health Volunteers has borne results. Task-sharing interventions like MTM are bound to help in a State like TN that has invested in healthcare, and this is likely to lead to improvements in the future,' she said. Implementation concerns and way forward While task-sharing interventions have helped improve hypertension and diabetes control, she said that field visits showed that there can be significant challenges in implementing them in urban settings. 'In the rural areas, we saw greater acceptance and impact of the initiatives. However, people in the urban parts, especially cities like Chennai and Coimbatore, are still largely using private facilities for hypertension and diabetes care,' she said. With the early implementation results of the MTM showing promise, the Health department should take steps to identify the gaps in implementation and opt to continuously improve the quality of services to improve the control rate further, she stressed. Dr. Selvavinagayam said there is still a long way to go. 'We will now focus on the individual control level, which is essential for preventing any complications,' he said.
Morocco World
18-02-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
Expert: Phosphorus Puts Morocco at Heart of Global Quest for Sustainability
Ben Guerir – UM6P's Science Week is increasingly turning into the ultimate platform shedding light on Morocco's rise as a leading African voice in a range of strategic sectors. The North African country processes the largest raw phosphate reserve, thus putting it at the heart of Africa's and the world's quest for sustainability, a prominent expert emphatically argued on Tuesday in his keynote speech on the opening day of UM6P's Science Week. Jacob Jones speaking at the inauguration of the fifth edition of UM6P's Science Week Jacob Jones, Director of Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS), delivered his keynote presentation on phosphorus sustainability, focusing on Morocco's pivotal role in this critical resource. 'Morocco is the ideal location to have such conversations because of its key position in world phosphorus sustainability,' Jones noted, referring to Morocco's control of approximately 70% of global phosphate rock reserves. Phosphorus drives key plant processes like energy and nutrient transport, photosynthesis, and cell division. Thus, when applied correctly, phosphorus-rich fertilizers boost the availability of this vital nutrient for crops, enhancing their growth and productivity. On the sidelines of a presentation on Phosphorus and Sustainability, Jones spoke of the contribution of phosphorus to sustainability. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN) Jones said: as holder of 70% of the world's phosphate rock reserves,' Morocco is well positioned as 'an ideal leadership to help convene the world on understanding sustainability of phosphate use.' Jacob Jones, Director of Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Jones further explained to MWN that 'as the holder of 70% of the world's phosphate rock reserves,' Morocco is well positioned as 'an ideal leadership to help convene the world on understanding sustainability of phosphate use.' Read also: Morocco Takes Lead in Shaping Global Scientific Future at UM6P Science Week STEPS' director outlined dramatic future challenges, particularly in Africa, noting that 'over the next 75 years, the United Nations projects that the greatest population growth will be in sub-Saharan Africa.' In particular, he explained , 'countries like Nigeria are projected to need over a 900% increase in phosphorus between now and 2050.' As the Science Week gathers scientists from different fields, Jones's presentation focused on the weight of interdisciplinary approaches to tackle these challenges. 'What we must not do is work in silos as scientists,' Jones warned, advocating for what he calls a 'convergence approach' that integrates diverse fields from microbiology to computer science and engineering. The STEPS Center's work includes innovative research methods, such as using Bayesian hierarchical modeling to track phosphorus flows across continents. Jones explained that understanding the relationships between climate, agriculture, and soil chemistry in driving phosphorus concentrations demonstrates why nutrient management must be tailored to different ecological regions, including Africa. The convergence of Science Week's vision for African scientific leadership and Jones's expertise in phosphorus sustainability highlights UM6P's unique position at the intersection of global challenges and local solutions. The Science Week program will continue through February 23. Featuring sessions on artificial intelligence, sustainable agriculture, future careers, and the intersection of science, ethics, and philosophy, it reflects UM6P's commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to global challenges.
