The Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation, led by Dr. Seidu Bello, has initiated a free craniofacial surgery programme for 35 patients suffering from facial tumours in Cross River State. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with a team of medical experts from the TY Danjuma Foundation.
The 30th edition of the foundation's free craniofacial surgery programme was officially launched on Tuesday at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) in Calabar. Dr. Seidu Bello, Chief Executive Officer of the Cleft and Deformity Foundation, stated that he and his team are in Calabar to help underprivileged individuals afflicted with facial tumours regain their self-confidence.
Global Prevalence of Cleft Conditions
Dr. Bello provided context on the global prevalence of cleft conditions, noting that one in every 300 babies in America has a cleft, while in Europe and Asia, the ratio is one in every 700 babies. In Africa, the incidence is one in every 2,500 babies. He remarked that although clefts are less common in Africa than in Europe and America, the level of fear associated with the condition is higher in Africa.
Call for a Dedicated Craniofacial Hospital
Dr. Bello used the occasion to renew calls for the establishment of a dedicated craniofacial hospital in Nigeria. He revealed that the foundation has plans for a facility estimated to cost about one billion naira, but emphasised that the federal government and public-spirited individuals could also set up such a hospital. He stated, "This needs funding, and it needs a centre, a specialised centre, where there will be treatment, there will be everything. That's why we are advocating for accreditation."
He appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria and all well-meaning individuals to support the establishment of a standalone craniofacial hospital that can assist indigent patients with facial deformities. According to Dr. Bello, a fully equipped hospital would be capable of handling complex craniofacial surgeries, including facial reconstruction and microvascular transfers. It would also serve as a centre for training and research, advancing knowledge and skills in this specialised field.
He pointed out that currently, while there are maxillofacial units across the country, there is no dedicated craniofacial facility in Nigeria. He argued that having one hospital in each of the six geopolitical zones would create centres of excellence that can provide comprehensive care for patients with facial deformities and elevate the standard of craniofacial surgery in the nation.
Foundation's Track Record
Dr. Bello highlighted the foundation's track record, stating that they have performed about 2,750 complex craniofacial surgeries and awareness creation across several communities in Nigeria over the past 15 years. He noted that they have encountered various forms of facial deformities during this period.
Government Support
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, commended the foundation for the initiative. He noted that health issues have become an increasingly complex matter requiring serious attention and that no single entity can address them alone. He proposed collaboration between the TY Danjuma Foundation, the Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation, and the foundation run by the wife of the Cross River State Governor to sustain the programme.
