Free cleft lip surgery underway

CHITUNGWIZA Central Hospital in partnership with Love Without Reason, a non-governmental organisation, is conducting free procedures on people with cleft lip and palate conditions.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both and occur when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby do not close completely.

Locally, the surgery costs an average of $20 000.

The team comprises British, Indian and local doctors, surgeons, nurses and counsellors.

The procedures started yesterday and will run until Friday where the hospital is targeting at least 60 patients from all over the country.

In an interview, Love Without Reason president and general medical practitioner Adore Danda said they realised that a lot of children were suffering from this condition.

“So far 34 people have come through for screenings and the process is still ongoing. We decided to offer this service for free after discovering that there are children who are living with such conditions whose parents or guardians cannot afford the surgeries.

“This is the third time offering the service in the country and we hope to do more now that our institution is now registered in the country,”he said.

Dr Danda said the programme is mainly targeting children from the age of two and above.

“Inclusion criteria for screening includes the following; for cleft lipthree months and older weighing 6kg and up while for cleft left palate we are targeting 15 months or older and appropriate weight for the age.

“The patients should have no respiratory infections or cardiovascular problems or any other serious birth defects,” he said.

He advised parents or guardians living with children who have such condition to seek medical help.