Osun State Government, in collaboration with the Good Smile Africa Advocacy Initiative, has initiated a program to provide free surgery for individuals dealing with cleft lip and cleft palate.
The Commissioner for Health, Barr Jola Akintola, shared this information during a press interview at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.
Barr. Akintola, who emphasized government commitment to partnering with organizations ready to work towards improving the health conditions of the people, disclosed that four successful operations had been conducted to address the condition.
The Commissioner then t encouraged individuals affected by cleft lip and cleft palate to take advantage of the ongoing free surgery, which commenced on Tuesday, January 23, and will be concluded on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Dr. Osodin Timothy, a Volunteer Cleft surgeon, representing the Good Smile Africa Initiatives, took time to enlighten the audience on cleft lip and cleft palate which, according to him, can manifest in facial areas like lip, palate nose, eyelid or any other part of the face, assured that individuals with these conditions can be assisted.
A beneficiary, whose son, Ahmed Alamin has a cleft lip, expressed gratitude to the State Government and its partner for the compassionate gesture towards cleft patients in the State, praying for continued political will and support to continue the humanitarian work.