Smile Train Partners with Mrs Soludo to Provide Free Cleft Lip Surgeries for Children in Anambra

Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, in collaboration with Smile Train organisation, have provided free reconstructive surgeries to children born with cleft lips and palates across the state.

guardian.ng/news/mrs-soludo-partners-group-to-provide-free-cleft-lip-surgeries-for-children-in-anambra/Soludo told newsmen on Saturday at the General Hospital, Umueri, in Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA), that the free surgeries were to give every child with a cleft lip and palate the opportunity to reclaim their dignity.

She said: “When it comes to mothers and children in the state, I do not joke with them. Most of these mothers are confused after giving birth to children with this kind of deformity.

“And since it is something we can solve, we decided to partner Smile Train International, an NGO that funds cleft reconstruction surgeries, to help these families.

“I urge pregnant women to eat healthy food and attend antenatal to prevent giving birth to babies with deformities,” she said.

Also speaking, Prof. Titus Chukwuanukwu, a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, described cleft as a congenital anomaly that a baby is born with.

Chukwuanukwu, also the Director, Smile Train in Anambra, said children with cleft lips become malnourished and suffered a lot of ailments because they often have difficulty in sucking breast, feeding and speaking.

He identified lack of awareness, stigmatisation, financial constraints and unfounded myths and misinformation as barriers to cleft treatment and care in the country.

Source: Vanguard