Accra: Operation Smile Ghana is making strides in addressing the urgent need for increased awareness and intervention for children born with cleft lip and palate, as highlighted by Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, a Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Country Medical Director of the organization. Dr. Ampomah emphasized the prevalence of cleft deformities, noting their status as one of the most common congenital conditions globally. These deformities can result in serious feeding, speech, and health complications if not addressed in a timely manner.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Ampomah spoke at the Ho Teaching Hospital during the launch of a free cleft surgery program. He explained that cleft lip and palate conditions are treatable, with cleft lip repair ideally performed between three to six months of age, and cleft palate repair best done between nine to 18 months. He warned that delays in surgery could lead to speech patterns becoming hardwired, complicating post-surgical correction.
Operation Smile Ghana employs a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anesthetists, pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, speech therapists, and biomedical engineers, to ensure children are well-prepared for safe surgery and rehabilitation. Since its inception in Ghana in 2011, the organization has built local capacity, with a significant percentage of its volunteers now being Ghanaian professionals.
All services provided by Operation Smile Ghana, including transportation, feeding, accommodation, and surgery, are free of charge. This week, the team aims to perform between 75 and 80 surgeries in Ho, averaging 15-18 per day. Mr. Peter Kwaku Titiati, Country Manager of Operation Smile Ghana, highlighted the charity's ongoing efforts at various locations, including Korle Bu, Cape Coast, Koforidua, and Ho Teaching Hospital, with short-term surgical missions held quarterly.
Parents have expressed their gratitude for the life-changing surgeries and care provided by Operation Smile. Dr. Ampomah appealed to families to avoid stigmatizing children with cleft conditions, emphasizing their potential to succeed in various professions with appropriate medical support. He also advised preventive measures, such as women taking folic acid and attending early antenatal checks, to reduce the occurrence of cleft conditions.