Kenyans urged to raise awareness on cleft lip and palate condition

Kenyans have been asked to raise awareness on cleft lip and palate, which affects one in 1,300 births in Kenya.

Speaking during the official opening of the Pan African Association of Cleft Lip and Palate (PAACLIP) 6th Scientific Congress at the Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi said the condition was the most common birth defect in Kenya that is affected by stigma.

A cleft lip is a gap or a tear in the upper lip, while a cleft palate is a gap in the roof of the mouth. It is treatable, especially when the child is under two years. Some developed countries have even worked on an unborn child with a cleft lip or palate.

A cleft can be an incomplete lip (involves the lip only), complete lip and alveolus (involves the lip and the gum), or complete lip and palate or just palate alone.

“This is the most common birth defect in Kenya that threatens to confine children to a life without opportunities, yet it can be treated. Some people hide such children, whose future depends on early, corrective surgery,” Ms Elachi said.

200 medical experts

The congress is the first of its kind to be held in Kenya and brings together more than 200 medical experts from 24 African countries. Other participants came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh.

Medical practitioners called on governments to create policies addressing cleft lip and palate cases in their countries and entrench them in their healthcare systems to cater for those affected by the condition.

On Sunday, seven patients with cleft lip and palate conditions benefited from free surgery from top reconstructive surgeons drawn from local and international hospitals.

The operations were sponsored by Smile Train, the world’s largest non-profit focused on cleft repair and treatment, and Nairobi Hospital.

Serving patients

“We are always searching for ways to further our impact and serve even more patients around the world.

“This congress will shine a light on new learning and strategies our Smile Train partners can bring to the global stage to better serve our patients throughout Africa,” said Susannah Schaefer, the Smile Train Global CEO.

Dr Meshach Ong’uti, the head of Nairobi congress secretariat, said most patients with cleft lip and palate could not afford surgery and treatment for lack of a medical cover.

“Most insurance companies, including our National Hospital Insurance Fund, do not cover cleft lip and palate deformities as they are considered congenital, yet the surgery and treatment is not affordable to many. African governments must address this policy gap in order to support those affected,” he said.