KUCHING: Cleft lip and palate is a congenital problem that affects every 500 to 700 births in Asian countries.
“Babies born with clefts have several medical problems and potential complications that require the solid involvement of various aspects of medical expertise,” said Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Director Dr Ngian Hie Ling.
Hence, with the increased comprehensive awareness of cleft by the government, private sectors or individuals, more will come forward to get appropriate treatment from the initial stage.
She said this in her officiating speech at the 3rd Sarawak Cleft Care Course 2022 and Live Surgeries at CRC Auditorium, SGH today.
The programme was organised by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department,
SGH in collaboration with Cleft Lip and Palate Association Malaysia (CLAPAM).
The one-day course programme was participated by 60 doctors and nurses from various hospitals to understand about cleft and cleft care and treatment.
“This programme gives us the opportunity to see how a cleft baby grows to adulthood, which is a long journey for them as they receive continuous treatment as they grow up.
“We feel moved when we see a cleft person grow up and live a life like a normal human. On the other hand, we will feel sad when there are cleft people who face hardship, as a result of imperfect care and treatment,” she added.
Among the problems that are often closely related to cleft people are such as hearing problems, tooth decay and speech problems that can be an obstacle for them to live as perfect a life as possible.
In addition, incomplete information or limited knowledge of parents causes them to
only focus and prioritise surgery, without paying the same attention to other parts of cleft care such as hearing, dental health and speech.
“That is why cooperation from various levels of expertise such as Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Paediatric Dentist, O&G Specialist, Paediatrician, Paediatric Anaesthesiologist, Otorhinolaryngologist, Acute Pain Service (APS), Speech Therapist, Child Psychiatrist, Oromaxillofacial Surgeon, Dietician, Social Welfare Officer and so on are needed to make the treatment successful.
“It is hoped that their success strategies and recipes will be able to be shared together in the name of sharing is caring for the benefit of cleft people in all hospitals in Malaysia,” said Dr Ngian.
At the same time, she expressed gratitude to CLAPAM for supporting the programme here since 2018 until now and also the doctors and nurses participating in the programme in order to achieve and improve surgical skills and cleft care management.
Also present at the officiating ceremony of the programme was CLAPAM chairperson Zainal Azhar Ahmad.
