A group of international orthopaedic surgeons from Steps2Walk have started operations to perform surgeries on patients with crippling foot and ankle deformities in the country.

The outreach programme operated on over 20 patients between June 10 and 14 at Windhoek Central Hospital and Lady Pohamba Private Hospital. 

The programme has in total changed the lives of 75 patients in Namibia, and this year they selected 24 patients from all regions. 

Jacques Jonck, an orthopaedic surgeon, says, "The programme is humanitarian, where we are treating patients; a lot of them are children with some foot and ankle deformities. We do not have this kind of treatment because it is highly specialised surgery. We get competent surgeons around the world to come and assist. We are fortunate this is the fifth year we are having it."

The programme brought medical doctors from Malawi, Angola, and South Africa, as well as local doctors. 

After the operations, patients are given special shoes, and doctors will follow up. 

The patients are collected throughout the year from clinics and referred to Katutura Hospital. 

Doctors are hoping to increase the number of patients in the coming years.

The operation is done at no cost.

The doctors thanked the Ministry of Health and everyone who provided valuable support, which resulted in a smooth operation.