By Patrick A. Kai
Smile Train, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), through the Kenema District Health Management Team (DHMT) has on the 6th May, 2021 concluded a nationwide awareness raising campaign to identify and conduct free surgery on children and adults suffering from Cleft Lip and Cleft Plate disorders.
The launch of the campaign, which took place at the Environmental Health Office at Maxwell Khobe Street in Kenema, attracted health care staff in all the 132 PHUs and community stakeholders drawn from various communities within the district.
During a presentation, the District Health Officer informed the health workers that they were gathered together in order to refresh their memories on Cleft Lip and Cleft Plate disorders as well as to plan for the battle against the abnormal conditions.
Dr. Donald S. Grant stated that Cleft Lip and Cleft Plate disorders are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth or both. According to him these disorders occur when tissues in the baby’s face and mouth don’t fuse properly.
He furthered that in most cases they are caused by a combination or an interaction of genetic and environmental factors adding that pregnant women, who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or take certain medications are at higher risks of having babies with birth defects.
Dr. Grant revealed that the Ministry of Health is pushing hard to ensure that the masses are aware about Cleft lip and Cleft Plate disorders which have been considered incurable by them.
This perception, he said, must be changed adding that children born with these abnormal conditions do not wish to have them.
He intimated that surgeries will be conducted to remedy those conditions in Kenema disclosing how the District Medical Superintendent is out of the country to acquire more training on how to deal with such conditions.
That news was welcomed with a big round of applause by the medical practitioners.
Dr. Donald Grant maintained that the signs and symptoms of sub mucous Cleft Plate and Cleft Lip are difficulty experienced to conveniently eat, swallow, possibility for liquids or food to come out through the nose, a nasal speaking voice, sounding like the person is speaking through the nose amongst others.
He urged them to identify and sensitize residents in their localities not to abandon children with such disorders.
Dr. Grant encouraged them to further admonish parents to visit the closest health facility with their children whenever they suspect such conditions stressing that traditional concoction could not cure them.
The program ended with the distribution of the Awareness Raising T-shirts and caps believing that such materials will enhance the sensitization drive.
