20 children benefit from free cleft lip and palate surgery in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

A two-week medical outreach on free cleft lip and palate surgeries has concluded at the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), in Benin City.

The medical outreach was carried out by the Smiles Train, in conjunction with the office of the Edo State First Lady.

As at the time of the clossing ceremony, 18 patients had been successfully operated on while two are awaiting surgeries.

Speaking at the conclusion of the exercise, wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, called for more collaboration from well-meaning individuals and organizations to offer medical services and free surgeries to people suffering from various ailments across the country.

She expressed satisfaction with the professionalism and quality of work provided by the Smile Train team, the staff of ESH and the remarkable difference in the patients’ appearances.

She observed that in two weeks’ time, when the patients are due to be discharged, they will look completely normal.

Mrs. Obaseki who expressed gratitude to Smile Train, as well as the Managing Director and staff of ESH, for their commitment to the project, praised the Hospital’s cleanliness and the absence of complications.

She stated: “When people don’t know about something, there is no way they can offer their support and help.

“This initiative is not just about carrying out interventions but also creating awareness to let people know that there are many around us who have these problems but are hiding due to a lack of means or support for corrective surgeries.”

The Edo First Lady urged those with resources, including medical professionals who are dedicated to missionary work, to offer their support.

In her remarks, the Lead Consultant of the Smile Train team, Dr. Vivian Omo-Aghoja, noted that 20 individuals showed up for the sursgeries, with 18 procedures successfully completed, while the remaining two are being prepared for their surgeries.

She also revealed a plan for Smile Train, in collaboration with ESH, to establish the Hospital as a dedicated Center for free cleft lip and palate surgeries.

“Despite the fact that we are ending today, the program is not ending. They can always come, the front desk is already equipped on how to handle them. We can always keep doing these surgeries periodically,” Dr. Omo-Aghoja said.

Beneficiaries of the free surgeries expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the management of the Hospital, Smile Train, and Mrs. Betsy Obaseki for making the life-changing initiative possible.