Our Work in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, cleft isn't viewed as a public health priority, leaving resource-constrained parents with a heavy financial burden. We partner to make Comprehensive Cleft Care accessible.
A family attends our partner, ALA’s weekly multidisciplinary cleft clinic.
Cleft Care in Bulgaria Today
Beyond surgery, cleft care services are largely funded through international NGO partnerships. The Plovdiv cleft unit, where we partner locally, is Bulgaria’s main centre supporting families born with cleft.
Bulgaria has sufficient trained specialists; the major challenge has been the lack of support for families and effective referral mechanisms to prevent newborn children affected by cleft from falling through the cracks.
Until recently, many new parents of children with cleft were given the impression that they should place their baby up for adoption, as it would be the only way for them to get the care they needed. Thankfully, advocacy and community engagement have made a difference. Our partnership in Bulgaria allows families to access care without a financial burden.
Fast Facts
- Population: 6,460,000
- Capital: Sofia
- Below Poverty Line: 22%
- Cleft Incidence: 80+/ year
Key Challenges
Community Awareness
Lack of awareness about cleft has historically led to children being under the care of state services. While this has improved thanks to our partner’s diligent awareness efforts, misconceptions about what cleft is and how it can be treated persist.
Transportation
Ongoing and full circle cleft services are only available at one centre meaning families would have to travel long distances if it weren’t for our partner, ALA’s extensive regional network of specialists.
Psychosocial Support
Many of the school-aged children our partner program supports struggle with bullying and low self-esteem. Parent support groups help to combat the feelings of shame and stigma families frequently face.
Program Successes
Patients accessed 1,978 cleft care treatments or treatment interventions at our partner hospital
Speech therapists spread across Bulgaria facilitated a total of 1,124 speech assessment and therapy sessions
Orthodontic treatments were provided by our partner via their orthodontist network this year
“In Bulgaria, only surgical treatment is covered by the public system; all other critical care is a family’s financial obligation. It is important to make treatment available to families who need it most. Children need multidisciplinary, coordinated care and follow-up until adulthood.”
- Dr. Youri Anastassov, Surgeon & CCC Team Lead, Association ALA
Stories of Success
When Vasi and Atanas first met 1-year-old Hristo in an orphanage in Bulgaria, they felt an instant connection. Hristo had been given to the orphanage due to his cleft lip and palate. Three other families had considered adopting him, however, perceptions of the cleft journey ultimately changed minds. For Vasi and Atanas, Hristo would complete…
In many communities, unhelpful beliefs about cleft are burdensome for families. For parents, their minds are busied with questions of “why” this has happened to them and what caused this condition to affect their family. With the right support from a dedicated cleft team, families can overcome the noise and fears to help their children…
Brandon is from Lampa in the mountainous region of Northern Chile. No one knew why he struggled to speak clearly, and as soon as he started school, teasing and bullying became his everyday experience. Brandon’s parents were determined to help him thrive. They began reaching out to doctor after doctor. Finally, an answer. Brandon was…
Two-year-old tech-savvy Georgina doesn’t hesitate to call her grandma on WhatsApp when she wants to talk. When the TF team visited her, she was keen to show off her technology-inspired toys. And her favourite food to eat? French fries, even if her parents wish it were broccoli! Reflecting on their journey with Georgina’s cleft so…
In our impact report, we shared that, thanks to our monthly Bright Start donors, we were able to exceptionally arrange surgery for 11 children in the capital city, Yangon. Among those children, a photo of Yoon* and her father, Phyo was featured. Early in 2020, Phyo and his wife Aung learned they would be expecting…
Dan, a bicycle mechanic, and Hellen, a stay-at-home mother, reside on the shores of the swampy Lake Kyoga, along with their two children – Janet and Innocent. In mid-2021, they expanded their family and welcomed a third child, who they would name Esther. It wasn’t until the delivery day that the local health centre discovered…
Our Partners in Cleft Care
TF has been supporting partners in Bulgaria since 2009.
Our Partnerships in Bulgaria
- Association ALA, Plovdiv