Cleft Lip & Palate Operations
Following the successful hydrocephalus operations earlier this year, Celebration Health collaborated with the LEAP Foundation, the University of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to provide free reconstructive surgery to children with cleft lip and/or palate conditions as well as other facial disfigurements. These operations took place from the 25th to 30th October 2009. One in every 700 children is born with a cleft lip and/or palate and it is estimated that there are 16 000 children in Zimbabwe born with this condition.
We are dedicated to helping the people of Zimbabwe to access specialist services that are beyond the reach of many .Thanks to our partners, Econet Wireless, the message of these free operations was heard throughout the country on all four radio stations. The response was overwhelming and more than 200 children showed up on the screening day. The LEAP foundation team, led by Dr Hobar, a craniofacial surgeon, and specialist nurses and doctors took on a full schedule and established a waiting list in excess of 50 children for 2010.
The LEAP team managed to operate on 47 children and young adults, putting in 14-hour work days. Many of these were complex, and took 3 to 4 hours to complete. During that week the first ever ear reconstruction took place, using a rib from the patient’s own body. In addition to conducting surgeries, the LEAP team transferred skills and shared knowledge with local specialists, postgraduate and undergraduate students.
Dr Jabulani Nyenwa said, “The Bible teaches us that the greatest commandment of all is love.’ What we have witnessed this week could not have been done if our local health professionals and the visiting experts did not have love. It is encouraging to witness how much good can come out of a group of people who are united for one cause.
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