Patients with cleft lip set to receive surgery

Nyeri,

Thursday, October 12, 2023

KNA by Beth Ndirangu

Nyeri residents are set to benefit from free cleft lip surgery slated for November 24-25.

The event will also seek to create awareness and over 40 patients are expected to receive free cleft surgery at the Nyeri County Referral Hospital.

This was revealed last week when the County Government of Nyeri, through the Nyeri County Referral Hospital, collaborated with Smile Train and some of the beneficiaries of cleft lip and palate surgery to commemorate World Smile Day and Customer Service Week.

Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital abnormalities that occur when a baby's lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy.

Speaking during customer service week, Nyeri County Executive County Member Health Services Dr Joseph Kiragu commended Smile Train for walking the journey with Nyeri's surgical team and beneficiaries by strengthening their surgical capacity.

He urged the communities to shun the stigma around clefts, affirming that the Nyeri Referral Hospital offers free cleft surgery all year round adding that over 300 patients have benefited from this reconstructive surgery.

Kiragu added that some of the effects on a child with cleft lip include hearing, feeding and dental issues, as well as irregularities of the bone and soft tissue.

He said newborn babies born with cleft lips could not breastfeed normally and as such, malnutrition and under nutrition were a common phenomenon.

Kiragu noted that the surgery and aftercare services, which are offered absolutely free in the County Referral Hospital, have not only been a confidence booster but have also enabled the children to feed and speak fluently.

The over forty beneficiaries present commended the hospital's staff and Smile Train for the amazing responsiveness, care and nurturing staff, who also provided them with dental care services, orthodontics, nutritional care guidance, speech therapy, psycho-social support and audiology services.

Smile Train, an international child charity, partnering with Nyeri County Referral Hospital, has been creating awareness of cleft lip to eradicate the stigma surrounding it.

County Director of Health Services Dr Nelson Muriu who was also present noted that the County Government is at the forefront of advocating for Universal Health Coverage and is investing in primary healthcare.

Muiru said the County Government has built the capacity for the ecosystem to provide the best care and referral for patients to receive timely treatment adding that it has encouraged the trained Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to be on the lookout for children born with cleft and palate and refer them for treatment at the Nyeri County Referral Hospital.

At the same time, Smile Train Senior Programme Manager East Africa Joseph Kariuki commended the partnership with Nyeri County Referral Hospital for providing quality and anesthesia care in the community and noted that the treatment provided is holistic, helping the children to thrive.

“The County Government, in partnership with Smile Train, is committed to changing the lives of these patients one smile at a day,” said Kariuki.

In 2020, Smile Train upgraded the hospital's pediatric wing to include a plastic and maxillofacial surgical theatre, two recovery wards, and a children’s play area, which offer a more relaxed recovery atmosphere.

Courtesy; KNA