“We are not only conducting the cleft surgery and we have also trained health workers of J.J Dossen Hospital on how to care and conduct cleft lip surgery,” said Mr. Aben. According to Mr. Aben, Cleft lip is a condition that occurs when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form fully during pregnancy. Cleft lip affects the facial appearance of a child and it is not a well-known condition, especially in the rural communities. Oftentimes, when babies are born with any form of deformity, including cleft lip, they are assumed to be cursed. This March, OHAI Liberia is conducting free cleft lip surgeries in southeastern Liberia and requests the public to refer patients to local clinics for onward referral to treatment centers.
