The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has commenced free cleft lip and palate reconstructive surgeries as part of activities marking the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Cleft Lip and Palate (NACLP).
The conference, themed “Strengthening Networks to Improve Cleft Awareness, Promote Early Detection, and Streamline Referral Pathways,” is being hosted in the South-South region for the first time and brings together healthcare professionals, researchers and cleft care specialists from across Nigeria.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, Professor Chizindu A. Alikor, described the conference as a significant milestone for the hospital and the state. He acknowledged the support of the Rivers State Government in facilitating the event and highlighted the importance of expanding access to specialised healthcare services.
Professor Alikor said the free reconstructive surgeries are being provided through a partnership between RSUTH and Smile Train, an international organisation that supports comprehensive cleft care. He explained that the initiative is designed to remove financial barriers to treatment and encouraged parents and caregivers of children born with cleft lip and palate to take advantage of the programme.
President of the Nigerian Association of Cleft Lip and Palate, Professor Ugochukwu Nnadozie, used the occasion to address misconceptions surrounding the condition. He explained that cleft lip and palate are congenital birth defects and are not caused by spiritual forces, curses or witchcraft.
He stressed that the condition is treatable and encouraged families to seek medical care as early as possible, noting that early intervention can improve feeding, speech, appearance and overall quality of life while helping to reduce social stigma.
Professor Nnadozie also said the conference features specialist training sessions aimed at strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive cleft care and improve referral systems across the South-South region.
Smile Train’s Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting free and comprehensive cleft care in Nigeria. She said the outreach includes reconstructive surgeries, healthcare worker training and nutrition education to improve awareness, promote early diagnosis and expand access to treatment.
The surgical outreach is being carried out by a multidisciplinary team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, anaesthetists and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive comprehensive perioperative care.
Organisers said the free surgical programme will continue throughout the four-day conference at the RSUTH Modular Theatre, providing children and adults living with cleft lip and palate an opportunity to receive corrective surgery and specialised medical care at no cost.
Medical experts say cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital facial conditions and can be successfully treated through timely surgical intervention and long-term multidisciplinary care, including speech therapy, nutritional support and dental services.
