Over 100 cleft patients to benefit from free surgery

Over 100 people with cleft, from across the country, are to benefit from free surgery to correct the deformity.

Ninety (90) international medical volunteers, made up surgeons, dentists, nurses, nutritionists and other health professionals, have gathered at the Koforidua Regional Hospital to provide the free service.

They are drawn from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Sweden, South Africa, Egypt and Kenya. They are being supported by their Ghanaian counterparts.

This is being organized by US-based NGO, Operation Smile in partnership with the Koforidua Regional Hospital.

The patients are being provided with free transport, meals and accommodation.

The free surgical service is the 10th to be held in Ghana by the Organization since year 2011 and in excess of 1,000 people with cleft lips and palate had benefitted over the period.
       
Ms. Sabrina Ghiddi, the NGO’s Regional Manager for West and Southern Africa, said it was also building the capacity of the Ghanaian medical professionals to provide care to such patients.
One out of every 700 births in the country has the lip deformity.

Ms. Ghiddi encouraged patients to register with the Operation Smile in Ghana so as to be captured in its database and have the opportunity to receive medical care.

Source: GNA