01 Sep, 2022
In a remarkable feat, the Oral Health Advocacy Initiative (OHAI), in partnership with Smile Train, USA, and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), successfully performed 280 cleft surgeries in just four weeks, bringing smiles and hope to patients across Nigeria.
Dr. Ver-or Ngutor, the Executive Director of OHAI and a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, highlighted that this achievement was made possible through strategic collaborations and a dedicated team of doctors and healthcare workers trained in cleft management. “We have consistently mobilized resources to address the challenges of cleft among our people, ensuring our operations span across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Dr. Ngutor stated.
Since launching its cleft surgery program in 2011, OHAI has performed over 5,000 safe surgeries, a milestone that earned the organization recognition as the Global Leader in Cleft Care in Africa by Smile Train in 2017 for its adherence to best practices.
Dr. Ngutor further revealed that in September 2022 alone, OHAI carried out 174 surgeries, supported by partnerships with the Benue, Kebbi, and Yobe state governments, as well as Rano Health Care and Community Development Initiative in Kano State. This latest success demonstrates the organization’s unwavering commitment to reaching underserved rural communities, where 90% of doctors reside in urban areas, leaving many without access to essential healthcare.
“Cleft lip is a congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation, leading to non-fusion of facial structures before birth,” explained Dr. Ngutor. “This condition often impacts an individual’s self-esteem, social interactions, and economic opportunities. Our mission is to address these challenges by bringing life-changing interventions to hard-to-reach populations.”
To further solidify its efforts, OHAI recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance collaboration. The agreement focuses on technical assistance, capacity building, training, and skill transfer to address pressing health challenges while promoting professionalism in healthcare delivery.
Through its continued dedication to transforming lives, OHAI is setting new standards in cleft care and making significant strides in reducing the burden of oro-facial diseases in Nigeria.
01 Sep, 2022
30 Sep, 2022
+234 803 705 4557
info@ohaiafrica.org
Benue, Kebbi, Kano and Yobe state