Transforming Faces, as well as 20 of our partners, are attending the 12th International Congress on Cleft Lip/Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies in Orlando, Florida.
Here’s what our partners are up to today!
Mekonen Eshete Abebe, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Yekatit 12 Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will be presenting during Session #12.
The incidence of cleft lip and palate in Ethiopia is not known, however, the incidence in Addis Ababa is 1.49 per 1,000 live births. Cleft lip and palate is also the most common congenital abnormality seen at the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit at Yekatit 12 Hospital. It is the only center in the country which provides holistic care for cleft patients and the unit works in collaboration with charity organizations, such as TF.
Mekonen’s study evaluated the care of cleft lip and palate patients at Yekatit 12 from 2003-2011. A total of 1, 653 cleft lip and palate surgical procedures were done over this period, which includes primary and secondary cleft lip and palate surgery. Over this period:
• Speech therapy was provided to 201 cleft patients
• Basic dental care and oral hygiene was provided to 319 patients
• 126 patients received orthodontics treatment
• ENT treatment was provided to 183 patients
Even though holistic cleft care is expensive, this study showed that it is possible to provide holistic cleft care, with some support, in a developing country. Attend Session #12 to find out more about Mekonen’s study.
Don’t forget to visit our Exhibit booth! Find out what else is happening today at the Congress or follow #Cleft2013 on Twitter!