More than 100 children with cleft lips and palates are undergoing surgery in Kwara state at a health program organized by the Kwara state government in partnership with Rotary International, Mike Omotosho Foundation and Alliance for Smiles, even as more than 120,000 rural dwellers have so far enrolled in the Kwara State Community Health Insurance Scheme.
Kwara state Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed who called for more partnership with his administration by government and non government organizations in promoting quantitative healthcare delivery and healthy population in the state disclosed this at the flag off of the free cleft lip and palate surgery in Ilorin.
According to Dr Ahmed, many parents with children with the cleft lips and palates resign to helplessness and nonchalance not knowing that such could be remedied through surgery. “United Nations statistics shows that in every 1000 birth in Nigeria one baby is born with a cleft lip, often turning what could be a joyous occasion for the affected families into despair. Untreated, this condition mars the lives of the affected children which is socially defined by the real or imagined reaction to their deformity”, he said.
The governor expressed happiness that “100 children will have broken smiles restored for free and be able to live normal lives free from stigmatization”.
Dr Ahmed commended the partners of the state government and volunteers for their service to humanity and bring succour to 100 children with cleft lips and palate.
He noted that children with cleft deforming conditions need not be left to their fate without assistance .
“Certainly, it is not acceptable to look the other way when confronted with natural deformities in children. It is more appropriate and human to stand up for these children, lend them helping hand and a chance at a normal and fruitful life”, he said.
The chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the Surgery, Mrs Jumoke Bamigboye said the beneficiaries of the surgery were drawn from different states of the federation and thanked the state government for adequately equipping the general hospital to accommodate the surgery.
