By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation (CFDF), led by Dr. Seidu Bello, has commenced free craniofacial surgeries for 35 patients with facial tumours at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

The 30th edition of the programme, flagged off on Tuesday, is in partnership with medical experts from the TY Danjuma Foundation.

CFDF Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bello, said: “to assist indigent people pained with facial tumors have confidence in themselves once again.”

He provided global context, noting: “one in every 300 babies has cleft in America,” while “one in every 700 babies in Europe and Asia actually has a cleft.” In Africa, “it’s one in every 2,500 babies.

So, it’s not as common even in Africa as Europe and America, but they’ve got to the level that they’re scared.”

Dr. Bello renewed calls for a dedicated craniofacial hospital in Nigeria, estimated at one billion naira.

“This needs funding, and it needs a centre, a specialised centre, where there will be treatment, there will be everything. That’s why we are advocating for accreditation,” he said.

He appealed to the “Federal Government of Nigeria and to all well-meaning individuals to support the establishment of a stand alone craniofacial hospital that can assist indigent patients with facial deformities.”

“Such a facility would be capable of handling complex craniofacial surgeries, including facial reconstruction and microvascular transfers.

“It would serve as a center for training and research, advancing knowledge and skills in this specialized field, there is no dedicated craniofacial facility in Nigeria,” Dr. Bello noted,

He proposed that one hospital per geopolitical zone would create centers of excellence adding that the foundation has performed “about 2,750 complex craniofacial surgeries in over 15 years.

Cross River Governor , Senator Bassey Otu, represented by Commissioner for Health , Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, commended the initiative, urging collaboration with TY Danjuma Foundation, CFDF, and the wife of the governor’s foundation.

On her part , TY Danjuma Foundation Health Programme Officer, Dr. Mrs. Eucheria Abua, thanked the team for assisting patients who had been in dire need of help.”