Cleft Surgery Program

Launched in 2011, the Cleft Surgery Program by the Oral Health Advocacy Initiative (OHAI) has made significant strides in transforming lives across Nigeria and beyond. This initiative is dedicated to providing free, safe, and high-quality cleft surgeries to children and adults affected by cleft lip and palate, conditions that often lead to social stigma, difficulty in eating, speaking, and breathing, and economic isolation.

The program is built on strategic collaborations with key partners, including Smile Train, Verison’s Foundation, SeChild, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), various state ministries of health, CODAS Caritas, and other development partners. These partnerships have played a pivotal role in expanding the program’s reach and effectiveness, ensuring that cleft patients receive not only surgeries but also post-operative care, counseling, and education.

Since its inception, the program has extended its services to 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria, as well as five African countries, broadening its impact across the continent. With a focus on underserved populations, the program has reached over 11,000 patients, providing life-changing surgeries and helping restore smiles and dignity to individuals who would otherwise have limited access to care.

OHAI’s Cleft Surgery Program continues to operate with the goal of reaching even more patients, improving the quality of life for affected individuals, and reducing the societal and economic burdens associated with cleft conditions. Through ongoing partnerships and a commitment to international best practices, OHAI is making a profound difference in the lives of thousands across Africa.