Imo Government partners organization to provide free cleft and palate treatment

The Imo state government in collaboration with the Oral Health Advocacy Initiative yesterday flagged off free cleft and palate surgeries in the state even as parents have been charged to present affected children for correction.

The programme which is to hold in each senatorial zone of the State begun in Owerri zone yesterday; while Okigwe zone will have its turn today, August 29th; and Orlu zone will be tomorrow, August 30th.

Represented by the Health Commissioner, Dr Angela Uwakwem, Governor Okorocha expressed optimism that it will afford many affected by cleft and palate issues, free treatment.

He noted that cleft and palate issues affects feeding habits of the sufferers as well as their confidence level, saying all that will be corrected by the surgery.

The Governor called on other health institutions and organizations to partner with the State Government to sustain the programme even as he said the benefits of the treatment will be forever appreciated by the beneficiaries.

He called for bigger partnerships to help address dental health issues.

Dr Uwakwem noted that the palate related surgeries will require special intensive care, even as she promised that it will be provided after the end of the programme.

On his part, founder of the Oral Health Advocacy Initiative, Dr Ver-Or Ngutho lamented that oral health has been a neglected field even though it is critical.

He regretted that people continue to suffer from oral health related challenges without knowing the cause or that there is a solution.

Further, Ngutho said the group hopes to provide other oral health interventions to in the state.

According to him, the surgical team will handle 270 surgeries in the state within the three days duration of the programme.