Rwandan children and adults born with cleft lips (cheiloschisis) and cleft palates (palatoschisis) have a reason to smile since they have chances to receive free medical operation.
MTN Rwanda today announced continued financial support of $30,000 (Rwf 18 million) to facilitate their medical operations.
The telecom giant is partnering with Rwanda’s Ministry of Health Services and Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) and its team of medical and non-medical volunteers to ensure the operation of over 300 Rwandans born with the vice.
John Bosco Sendahangarwa, MTN Rwanda’s Corporate Communication Manager told Press today that MTN Rwanda would support the project with a financial commitment of Frw 18 million this year alone, to allow free operations to those affected.
“MTN Rwanda and OSSA have partnered since three years ago in such rare operations intended to enable Rwandans with cleft lips and cleft palates smile again. In 2011 MTN donated over $10,000,” Sendahangarwa said.
“We have also played an ambassadorial role and bringing other partners to support this cause. At MTN Rwanda one percent (1%) of profit after taxes proceeds support projects with long lasting benefits to the society.
This is in line with our corporate social responsibility. In 2011 alone over 250 children and adults were operated on,” he added.
Other partners include, World Vision, Banque Populaire du Rwanda and STIPP Hotels.
Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis), which can also occur together as cleft lip and palate, are variations of a deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation of a human being. OSSA officials explained that a cleft is an opening or a gap caused by non-fusion of the body’s natural structures that form before birth.
Approximately 1 in 700 children in the world are born with a cleft lip or a cleft palate. Clefts can also affect other parts of the face, such as the eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and forehead.
A cleft lip or palate can be successfully treated with surgery, especially so if conducted soon after birth or in early childhood. According to Dr. Aime Lokulutu from the 15th to the 25th of March, OSSA will provide free surgery to children and adults born with cleft lips and cleft palates.
“Anyone with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate should come to Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Kigali (CHUK) on Thursday (16th of March) for a free examination to possibly receive free surgery. This will be OSSA’s third medical mission to Rwanda. To date OSSA has conducted three medical missions in Kigali, and provided surgery to 510 patients,” Dr. Lokulutu said.
“If patients need assistance with transportation to CHUK, those patients should make their way to their local district hospital where free transport will be provided on same day at 6am. Buses will be provided from: hospital of Ruhengeri, Byumba, Kabgayi, Gisenyi, Kibuye, Nyagatare, Kirehe and Rwinkwavu,” he added.
If chosen for surgery, patients will have to remain through surgery week and the post-operative assessment, and are asked to bring along clothing for the duration of the medical mission. Only one family member or guardian can accompany the patient.
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