100 get free plastic surgery at Nsambya

Feb 01, 2005

Over 100 patients are to undergo free plastic surgery at Nsambya Hospital, a hospital surgeon said on Monday.

By Flavia Nakagwa and Grace Wafula
Over 100 patients are to undergo free plastic surgery at Nsambya Hospital, a hospital surgeon said on Monday.

Dr. Justina Najjuka said the operation, code-named “A 2005 smile on their face initiative”, would target sufferers of cleft-lip and palates countrywide.

Cleft-lip is a condition in which an individual is born with a torn lip, while a cleft palate is when the gum is also torn.

Najjuka said this congenital deformity is caused by lack of vitamins during pregnancy.
Six plastic surgeons from Germany, Holland and Uganda will conduct the one-week operation that begun on Monday.

The operation got a boost of sh5m in cash and hospital utilities from Centenary Bank, Uganda Catholic Bureau, Joint Medical Stores and James Mulwana.

Najjuka dismissed claims that patients would pay sh50,000 for the operation.

She said most sufferers of cleft-lip and cleft palates were low-income earners and could not afford the operation.

Najjuka appealed to parents who have children with such problems to seek immediate medical attention, because it is easier to treat babies before they develop teeth.

“Plastic surgery will still be available and free even after the workshop. We shall also be handling other cases like contractures (burns),” she said.
Ends

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});