Project

Happy Feet: Accelerating control of Podoconiosis in Ethiopia

This implementation project is funded by a Malaria Consortium-US grant thanks to philanthropic donations. The primary project objective is to accelerate control of Podoconiosis through universal access to appropriate preventive and management health services. The project will be implemented in Sodo Zuria and Offa districts of Wolaita zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region of Ethiopia (SNNPR) over three years, from November 2022 to October 2025. The overall outcome of the project is to contribute to the reduction of the rate of new Podoconiosis cases to less than one percent in the districts the project is active, by 2025.

The project envisions four major outcomes:

(1) Improved access and quality of lymphedema morbidity management, disability prevention and psychological support services in primary healthcare settings in project districts.

(2) Improved awareness, care seeking behaviour, shoe wearing and feet hygiene practices of the community more widely and patients with Podoconiosis. Achieve through evidence based, targeted, multi-channel and gender sensitive social and behaviour change communications.

(3) Policy influence for improved access to and utilisation of shoes for patients with Podoconiosis, school children, women and farmers living in Podoconiosis prevalent districts.

(4) Empowered patients with Podoconiosis to improve their own health, social bonds and economical status.

Multiple activities will be implemented towards achieving the outlined outcomes.