Khoula Hospital organises events on cleft and craniofacial awareness

Khoula Hospital is holding several events this month as part of ‘Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention’ programme. Dr Taimoor al Bulushi, president of the Omani Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (OSPRAS) and head of the Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery Department and the multidisciplinary cleft unit at Khoula Hospital, said that cleft lip and palate and craniofacial anomalies affect many children in Oman. These children require a lot of support and multiple surgical interventions during their lifetime, he said.

The International Society of Craniofacial Surgery has extended its support to the events in creating public awareness about cleft lip and palate and other anomalies.

Dr Bulushi said that management of cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies is one of the top priorities of the Ministry of Health, and Khoula Hospital is considered as one of the largest and best medical facilities in the Middle East.

Dr Bulushi said that the hospital treats more than 200 new cases every year.

“Our dedicated multidisciplinary unit has established cleft and craniofacial patient management protocols and has published many scientific papers in international journals. We have conducted many educational programmes and held cleft clinics all over the country. Recently, the director general of Khoula Hospital distributed gifts to cleft patients who are undergoing treatment.”

He said that OSPRAS and the Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery Department at Khoula Hospital will also be arranging counselling sessions for parents of affected children.

Dr Bulushi thanked H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Obaid al Saeedi, Minister of Health, H E Dr Mohammed al Hosani, Undersecretary for Health Affairs, MoH; Dr Ali al Mashani, director general of Khoula Hospital and Dr Rashid al Ruzaiki, director of surgery, Khoula Hospital for their support in organising the events.