Impacto global del método de Ponseti: desarrollo de programas nacionales para la eliminación de la discapacidad asociada al pie equino varo

The Ponseti method for the treatment of clubfoot has become the worldwide standard therapy for this deformity. But what is more important is that its release as a health innovation is having global impact, as it is being used to develop national programs to eliminate one of the most common disabilities in developing countries, the clubfoot inveterate varus. The experience gained in many countries indicates that the most important thing for the success of the program is the identification and advice of a group of advocates in the country (change agents) that provide the energy and direction needed to develop and implement the program. However, there are always challenges as the difficulty for physicians to receive training, staff shortages in hospitals, inadequate supplies, limited resources to track patients, among others. Therefore, the lessons that have been learned over the years and which are described in this article can be useful for those who are working to establish programs that are of high quality, equitable, locally driven, and sustainable, that is, integrated health services in the country to operate effectively in the future with the use of resources from the communities and from the government. RESUMEN