Operation Smile Ghana Joins Korle Bu CEO in Campaign against Cleft Lip and Palate Cases in Ghana

Operation Smile Ghana, a Non-Profit Medical Organization has Joined the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Campaign against Cleft Lip and Palate Cases in Ghana.

Operation Smile is a non-profit medical organization that was founded in 1982. It has since grown active in over 60 countries, providing free and safe surgeries for patients born with cleft conditions and other facial defects.

The collaboration between Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Operation Smile Ghana is crucial in mitigating the impact of these deformities. Operation Smile's outreach programs provide free surgeries and follow-up care to children born with cleft conditions, offering them a chance at a normal life.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku-Ware Ampomah, has expressed fear that activities of illegal miners popularly known as galamsey could see an increase in deformities in children, with particular reference to cleft lip and palate conditions.

A cleft palate is an opening or split in the roof of the mouth that occurs when the tissue doesn't fuse together during development in the womb this, he said, is because aside from genetic issues, activities related to the environment also play a crucial role.

In an interview with Peace FM News at a press Conference in Accra together with Operation Smile Ghana, he said some of the substances that are used in the galamsey activities can actually cause birth defects and since clefting is one of the common birth defects and the cleft lip and palate is the most common facial deformity but can be corrected through surgery.

The presence of heavy metals and other toxic substances used in galamsey operations can enter water sources, soil, and even the food chain, leading to widespread contamination. Pregnant women exposed to these pollutants are at a higher risk of giving birth to children with congenital anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate.

These birth defects, while treatable through surgery, can have lasting physical and psychological effects if not addressed promptly.

Acting Country Manager, Operation Smile, Henry Quist, encouraged parents and guardians to take benefit of ‘operation smile’ outreaches and educate parents about the cleft and how they can protect their child. Immediately a child is born with this condition, the mother should try and get in touch with us. When the child is under six months, we can’t have surgery. But within that first six months, the child will be given all the nutritional needs supplements that he or she needs so that if you do it very well, within six months all the essential vitals within your body will be set for you to undergo the surgery, he said”




Prince Baffour Asamoah/Peace FM Newsroom