Family Day for children with cleft lip and palate deformity
By Huraizah Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Health reported that at least 20 cleft babies are born each year in the country with an average of one cleft child being born in every 600 births.

This was revealed by the Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, during the first Family Day for children born with cleft lip and palate deformity held at the Riverview Hotel yesterday.

He said treatment for cleft lip and palate deformity remains a global challenge as in every hour; a cleft lip or palate deformed baby is born around the world.

"Cleft lip and palate deformities, if untreated, can produce psychological effects in appearance and functional defects affecting speech."

He said it is fortunate that His Majesty's Government has introduced a structured Cleft Lip and Palate Centre in the country, which provides a statewide service in treating these deformities.

He added that the team from the centre has continued to evolve and attract patients from the neighbouring countries in the BIMP-EAGA region, and strives to provide excellent services to the people in all the four in the country.

Meanwhile Dr N. Ravindranathan, who leads a dedicated team form the Brunei Cleft and Palate Centre at RIPAS Hospital repealed at the function that babies born with the defect are usually referred for treatment within 48 hours after their birth.

He said cleft lip or palate deformities have affected more girls than boys in the last 11 years with cleft of the soft palette being the most common defect affecting babies in the country.

At yesterday's function, he also provided an overview of statistics of children affected by the deformity in several countries including India, which has at least 35,000 babies born each year with the problem. China recorded roughly

40 to 50 thousand babies born each year with the deformity and the United Kingdom, which is least affected, with only 800 babies born each year with the cleft lip or palate deformity.

The `Smile Train', he said, is a US based global charity organisation which has already sponsored more than 100,000 safe, high qualities and totally free cleft surgeries in its commitment to help millions of children in developing countries who cannot afford the treatment.

Yesterday's function saw several lively performances by children treated for cleft along with PDS School students as well as entertainment programmes presented by Expression Music Enterprise.

There were also talks on `Orthodontic Treatment from Birth to Adolescence' by Dr Chua Kui Lay, `Speech Evaluation and Therapy' by Wati Haji Bujang, `Outline of Treatment from Birth to Adulthood' by Dr Kelvin Lim as well as a topic on `Hearing Assessment and Role of ENT Surgeon in Cleft Care' by Dr P.Garg.

The family day was attended by guests as well as families of children with cleft lip and palate deformity. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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