Two – Year Peter Anthony Benefits From Free Cleft Lip, Palate Treatment In Anambra

A two-year-old Master Peter Anthony has successfully undergone cleft lip surgery to become the first beneficiary of the ongoing free cleft lip and palate treatment in Anambra State.

The child, who had a cleft lip and cleft palate, was operated upon last Saturday, at Dinma Hospital, Nnewi, one of the affiliated medical facilities that offer treatments to cleft patients.

The ongoing free cleft lip and palate treatment is an initiative between Smile Train, a non-governmental charity body, and the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo.

Master Peter Anthony whose parents are from Otukpa in Benue State, but reside in Anambra State, is the first child to benefit from the ongoing exercise, and will receive more surgeries to fix his palate when the current one heals up.

Speaking on the development, the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo expressed satisfaction that the partnership with Smile Train is bearing fruits, reassuring that no child in the State living with cleft deformity will be left behind the programme.

Dr Soludo, who said that she is looking forward to seeing other children who have similar issues treated, called for more awareness about the programme especially in the rural areas.

On his part, the Anambra State Director of Smile Train, Professor Titus Chukwuanukwu, who performed the surgery, said that the child’s family came after hearing about the exercise from the governor’s wife, noting that with the lip successfully fixed surgery on the palate will be done on a later date.

Remember that parents and families that have children with cleft lips or palates, or anyone that knows a child with such problem can refer them to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka or to the nearest public health facility where they will be immediately taken for free treatment.

Anyone that wishes to bring information about a person with the problem or issues relating to treatment should call 0906 322 7856 or 0813 417 7577, for quick attention.