Cleft Awareness Week Launched: Korle Bu CEO Emphasizes Medical Facts Over Myths

The Chief Executive Officer Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Medical Director of Operation Smile Ghana, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, has urged the public to dismiss cultural myths that attribute cleft conditions to curses or evil spirits. He emphasized that cleft is a medical condition, not a result of supernatural forces.

Dr. Ampomah made these remarks during a press conference at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns Centre Auditorium, marking the launch of Cleft Awareness Week.

Cleft, which is a gap or split in the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate), occurs during pregnancy when parts of a baby’s face do not join together properly. Dr. Ampomah clarified that cleft is not caused by adultery or divine punishment and can be surgically corrected in about 45 minutes.

He further highlighted that a child is born with a cleft every three minutes worldwide, leading to challenges in eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. “Cleft lips and palates are easily surgically correctable,” he reassured, emphasizing the simplicity and effectiveness of the surgery.

Dr. Ampomah also noted that cleft is the third most common congenital condition globally, with an average incidence in Ghana of 1 in 700 births.

Acting Country Manager for Operation Smile Ghana, Mr. Henry Quist, explained that Cleft Awareness Week aims to educate the public on cleft conditions and encourage those affected to seek help. Operation Smile Ghana offers free transportation, nutritional meals, and surgeries valued at over $700 to those in need.

As a non-governmental organization, Operation Smile Ghana is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of cleft lips and palates by providing free, safe cleft repair surgeries to children worldwide. Cleft conditions, which occur during early pregnancy, can result from genetic factors, environmental influences such as drug and alcohol use, smoking, malnutrition, and a lack of Vitamin B (folic acid) during pregnancy.

For assistance, Operation Smile Ghana can be contacted at 0502407860 or 0241917137.

Source:dailydemocratnewsonline.com