Ghana Association for Cleft Lip and Palate (GHACLIP), in collaboration with Stanbic Bank, Smile Train, Unilever and Ghana Cleft Foundation, has held its second Bi-Annual Conference in Kumasi with assurance that cleft lip is treatable.
It was under the theme; “Achieving Excellence in Comprehensive Cleft Care in Ghana Through Effective Collaboration and Partnerships”.
Dr. Solomon Obiri Yeboah, Interim President, GHACLIP disclosed that as Cleft professionals, they have strived to provide the highest standard of care to children born with Cleft Lip and palate in their respective hospitals and centres, adding that their efforts are complemented by invaluable support of both local and international organisations, who contribute to cleft care in Ghana through various models and partnership.
Dr. Solomon Obiri Yeboah indicated that despite the collective efforts, children with cleft conditions and their respective caregivers often lack the voice in decision making about their own treatment and care, hence the call to unite and forge a “common front” and a “unified voice” for cleft care in Ghana.
Making reference to Ecclesiastes 4:9 and Deuteronomy 32:30, to buttress the importance of unity, Dr. Solomon Obiri Yeboah urged all to set aside “ego, selfish ambitions, pride as well as qualities that bring about division and hinder progress”.
Prof. Adeola A. Olusanya, President of Pan African Association of Cleft Lip and Palate (PAACLIP) expressed her profound appreciation to GHACLIP, recognising and celebrating its (GHACLIP) dedication and critical work being done by them, indicating that GHACLIP stands as a beacon of hope and excellence on the continent.
Prof. Adeola A. Olusanya indicated that the journey of a comprehensive cleft healthcare is complex coupled with challenges related to resources, infrastructure and geographical access.
She also touted GHACLIP’s capacity building; training the next generation of surgeons, nurses, and speech therapists and applauded its (GHACLIP) expansive outreach programmes that cover most remote communities.
The PAACLIP President stressed that (GHACLIP) was more than surgical service that also builds sustainable disciplinary care models that truly transform lives as well as moving families “from isolation to inclusion”.
She stated that GHACLIP’s success is not just a Ghanaian achievement, but also a source of “pride” wanted to be emulated by every other national cleft association across Africa, noting that the Vision of PAACLIP was that no child in Africa should suffer the consequences of untreated cleft condition.
Prof. Adeola A. Olusanya reaffirmed her outfit’s unwavering commitment to supporting efforts of GHACLIP as well as amplifying its local impact any way they can.
She urged GHACLIP to continue documenting their outcomes, share their challenges openly and actively participate in its Pan African forum with data, case report and invaluable experience, which are invaluable teaching tools for their peers on the continent.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Deputy Minister of Health indicated that the Ministry fully supports GHACLIP’s efforts indicating that her outfit needed a robust national cleft registry.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah noted that Ghana needs to move beyond the mission model, where care is only available during a week or month of the year, by focusing on developing centres of excellence that offers consistent quality, safe and comprehensive care throughout the year,
She stressed the need to draft a national cleft care policy that mandates multidisciplinary approach, thus looking at how National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) could better cover both surgery and nonsurgical aspect of cleft care, such as speech rehabilitation.
The Deputy Minister called for the launch of a national awareness campaign, because the expertise and centres alone cannot do away stigmatisation of the child born with cleft.
She stressed the need to change the narrative in schools, churches and marketplaces that cleft is “treatable” and not a curse, adding that Ghana has the expertise hence the need for early detection as well as an early referral system.
This would enable every child born with cleft, regardless of where they were born or their parents’ status, to receive complete high quality multidisciplinary care.
“…we want a Ghana, where a child born with cleft grows to become a pilot, teacher, Lawyer amongst others, with no barrier to their potential other than their own ambition…”…the Deputy Minister noted.
Dr. John H. Grant III, a prominent plastic surgeon and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), specialising in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery and Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, Chief Executive Officer of KATH attended the Conference.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Kumasi
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