YELLOWKNIFE - Reyhan and Mustafa Sarikaya are frustrated that the department of Health and Social Services refuses to pay for doctor-prescribed orthotics to treat their daughter's clubfoot condition.

Reyhan and Mustafa Sarikaya with their daughter Kadriye, who suffers from clubfoot and requires special braces to rehabilitate her feet following surgery. The department of Health and Social Services will not cover the cost of the $2,500 braces, an expense that the family will have to incur several more times as Kadriye grows. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Kadriye Sarikaya has had to endure more than most other two-year-olds. Born with clubfoot and a cleft palate, this little Yellowknifer has undergone several corrective surgical procedures and has more to come.

Clubfoot is a birth defect where the feet and ankles are turned in, making it impossible to plant the foot flat on the ground. It requires early surgical and rehabilitation treatment to prevent long-term disability.

As she scampers around her living room seemingly oblivious to her turned-over feet, Sarikaya's laughter provides a contrast to parents Reyhan and Mustafa's frustration over medical bills.

"I feel really sorry for the next woman to have a clubfoot baby," said Reyhan. "I have to say, I'm just not happy with my experiences with health and social services... it's been the biggest headache."

Despite letters from physicians who have examined and treated Sarikaya, which recommend associated medical expenses be covered as was the two-year-old's surgeries, Reyhan's requests that her daughter's custom ankle foot orthotics be paid for by Health and Social Services have been turned down.

With more surgeries ahead for a growing Sarikaya to fully correct her clubfoot, it is likely she will require additional orthotics. The pair she currently uses cost $2,590.

"The least they could do is have a cost-sharing program," said Reyhan. "I guess you're supposed to be beyond poor until somebody will help you."

As Reyhan has only recently returned to work part-time after 20 months on maternity leave, her income and her husband's - earned from working 70-hour-weeks driving a cab - seems to have disqualified them from additional medical coverage. However, the price of the braces is putting a strain on the family's budget.

Two physicians that have dealt with Sarikaya suspect she has Stickler syndrome, a condition in which newborns suffer from both cleft palate and clubfoot.

If Sarikaya does suffer from Stickler - future tests will determine this - the girl could require more medical attention.

"I strongly recommend any additional funding as need be to assist with any needs for aids such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy," wrote Dr. Norma Leonard, clinical geneticist at the University of Alberta, regarding the girl's condition and future prognosis.

Covering costs

In addition, Dr. Michael Young, of Stanton Territorial Health Authority, has written that Sarikaya's custom braces should be covered through Extended Health Benefits.

If the Sarikayas resided in Manitoba or British Columbia, health care in those provinces would cover the expense of the braces.

In the NWT, according to Warren St. Germaine, assistant deputy health minister, the orthotic equipment Sarikaya needs is not covered.

"Generally they are not covered but it depends on the circumstances," he said, adding that unless the individual is indigent - "Basically, they don't have financial means to pay for them" - the costs are not the government's responsibility.

"The government doesn't cover all people's medical costs, that's basically the bottom line," he said.

According to the Health and Social Services website, orthotics could be eligible for coverage "depending on your disease condition."

"If your medical condition requires medical-surgical appliances, supplies and/or prosthetics, submit a letter from your physician or occupational therapist and obtain approval from Department of Health and Social Services prior to purchasing these items," reads the site.

St. Germaine told Yellowknifer that clubfoot is not a disease but rather a congenital deformity.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins is lobbying on behalf of the family.

"It's my belief if we don't help this family correct this problem, we're looking at more health care problems in the future," said Hawkins.

"The solution is within reach, so why are we holding this girl back?

"All it would take is giving her the braces, the shoes and a few therapy sessions and she can be outside playing with the other kids."