Doctors are calling for an end to the misconceptions and stigma surrounding children born with cleft lips and palates, urging parents to seek timely medical intervention rather than attributing the condition to curses or punishment from the gods.
Many children with cleft conditions continue to suffer neglect and abuse as a result of deeply rooted superstitions, leaving families in fear and shame instead of seeking help. But at the Ho Teaching Hospital, a wave of hope is restoring confidence and dignity to affected families.
Through a partnership with Operation Smile Ghana, 80 children with cleft lips and palates have undergone successful corrective surgeries.
The life-changing intervention is expected to help the children eat, speak, and smile confidently, improving their health, social interactions, and chances of living fulfilling lives.
"Cleft lip and palate are medical conditions, not a curse or punishment," said Dr. Opoku-Ware Ampomah, consultant plastic surgeon and Country Medical Director for Operation Smile.
"When parents seek early medical attention, we can repair the defect safely, often before the child turns one, preventing speech and feeding difficulties."
Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions that occur when a baby's lip or mouth does not form properly during early pregnancy.
Globally, one in every 700 babies is born with the condition, but in Africa, especially in rural Ghana, many go untreated due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to surgical care.
Dr. Ampomah further noted that untreated cleft conditions can affect a child's dental development and social confidence, emphasising that self-medication during pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital abnormalities.
"We advise expectant mothers to avoid taking unprescribed drugs during pregnancy, as some medications may contribute to the development of cleft conditions," he cautioned.
In many Ghanaian communities, children born with cleft conditions are often hidden, abandoned, or labelled as "spirit children."
Some families, influenced by traditional beliefs, resort to spiritual cleansing or unorthodox practices, which worsen the physical and emotional trauma for both parents and children.
"These misconceptions must end," Dr. Ampomah stressed. "Every child deserves a chance to smile, speak, and live without shame."
For Peter Titiati, Country Manager for Operation Smile Ghana, the intervention is not only transforming lives but also helping to build local medical capacity.
"This programme doesn't just benefit patients," Mr. Titiati explained. "It also provides training opportunities for our local health professionals to handle cleft and palate cases effectively, ensuring that more children can be treated right here in Ghana."
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