200 cleft lips treated every year

Two hundred cleft lips and cleft palates surgeries are performed in the Sultanate every year, especially for children, according to Oman Plastic Surgery Society (OPSS). An integrated team in Khoula Hospital is dedicated to treating such cases according to certain protocols, says Dr Taimor al Balushi, Chairman of OPSS and Head of the Plastic Reconstructive and Craniofacial Surgery Department, Khoula Hospital. “As July 2017 is dedicated to support patients with these imperfections, we are keen to conduct different activities in the Sultanate’s hospitals to raise awareness about cleft lips and palates, causes, diagnosis and treatment options. We also plan to invite parents of such children aimed at educating them in this regard,” said Dr Al Balushi. Children with cleft lips or cleft palates is a common phenomenon in Oman and other countries as thousands are born with such congenital defects around the world every day. Treatment and reconstructive procedures continue from birth to adolescence. Zainab Al Nassri