PENANG, 31 October 2013 - A unique innovation created by a group of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) researchers provide hope for infants who are less fortunate due to foot deformities at birth, synonymously known as Clubfoot Patients (CFP).

User Friendly Abduction Splint (UFAS), the invention of Mohd Fahmi Hamzah from the Rehabilitation Unit, USM Hospital, is a kind of special shoes made ​​of soft leather that will solve permanent disability in infants and allows infants with CFP defects to walk like a normal child.

Representing Mohd Fahmi, Dr. Mohd. Zulkifli Abdul Rahim (School of Health Sciences) said that UFAS was developed after taking into account the views of medical specialists and it has been tested on patients at USM Hospital.

He said that UFAS has shown to improve infant ankle bone structure and was also recognised by many parties including orthopedic specialists, therapists, physiotherapists and others.

“Before the invention of UFAS, most patients do not seek treatment for CFP because of the relatively high cost as well as the then existing products were uncomfortable to use on babies.

“With the UFAS, it is not just light and easy to use but it can be made in a short period of about two weeks as compared to a month for existing products in the market,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference, introducing the i-OKU innovations which were submitted for the innovative products competition and exhibition at I-Innova 2013. The press conference was chaired by the Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey.

He added UFAS cost RM150 as compared to RM1,000 for the same product ordered from abroad.

“UFAS provides comfort to the feet of the baby and it was produced in an attractive form, just like regular shoes that can be produced according to the size and needs of each baby,” he said.

UFAS also received recognition when it won the silver medal in the i-Inova. - Translation: Sharifah Darweena Syed Ahmad Amir Feisal/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa