NGO performs free cleft and palate surgeries for 155

Operation Smile, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has performed free lip cleft and palate repair surgeries on 155 people during a week-long surgical mission in Ghana at the Volta Regional Teaching Hospital in Ho.

A 77-member multinational team, which included 41 local volunteers, successfully performed a total of 164 surgeries on children and adults born with facial deformities, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, Field Medical Director of the NGO told the media.

He said although cleft was not a curse, patients got stigmatised and asked that anyone with the condition should be directed to get assistance.

Dr Ampomah said each year, about 700 children were born with facial deformities which could be corrected with a 45 minute surgery and urged both local and international organisations to support the exercise.

Dr John Tampouri, Medical Director of the Hospital expressed gratitude to the Organisation for the initiative, saying it won for the Hospital, international attention.

He described the mission as “skill transfer” and that for the past three years, the Organisation had supported the Hospital in doing works they were unable to do due to lack of expertise.

The exercise was in partnership with the Ministry of Health and supported by Nissan Auto Parts, Samsung, and Goil among other benevolent organisations.

Source: GNA