In Summary
- Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.
- A Nairobi based health facility is focused on providing free-changing surgeries to victims affected by craniofacial deformities
A special clinic that operates In Nairobi, and treats cleft lip and palate deformities free of charge has performed and treated 7,000 victims of the deformities in a record time of one year.
The BelaRisu Medical Center’s first-anniversary event was held at the Centre located on Park Road, Ngara.
The facility is a referral clinic that provides surgeries to children, young adults, and the aged.
“The clinic has performed 7,000 surgeries related to cleft lip and palate since it was launched in September last year,” said Dr Martin Kamau, CEO of the BelaRisu Foundation, while addressing the Media, County, and National Government representatives, invited guests and beneficiaries of the surgeries.
In addition He says the Centre is focused on providing free-changing, dignified, and hope-restoring surgeries to victims affected by craniofacial deformities since the foundation believes that every individual deserves to lead a life free from the limitations of craniofacial deformities.
Cleft lip and cleft palate
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.
Together, these birth defects commonly are called “orofacial clefts”.
The lip forms between the fourth and seventh weeks of pregnancy. As a baby develops during pregnancy, body tissue and special cells from each side of the head grow toward the center of the face and join together to make the face.
This joining of tissue forms the facial features, like the lips and mouth. A cleft lip happens if the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth.
Other Problems
Children with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate or a cleft palate alone often have problems with feeding and speaking clearly and can have ear infections.
They also might have hearing problems and problems with their teeth.
