Ugandans to get free life-changing craniofacial surgery

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Ugandans with craniofacial deformities are to undergo free surgery at the Kiruddu Hospital starting from September 15-19 this year. This is a result of a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Re Surge International.

Re Surge International is an organisation composed of medical professionals focused on travelling to low-income countries and serving people with cleft lips and palates.

To date, they have provided care and training in eighteen low-income countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In Uganda, Re Surge medical professionals carry out reconstructive surgery and train Ugandan surgeons through programs like the Re Surge International Program in Africa (RIPA).

Craniofacial condition is a diverse group of birth defects affecting the development of the head and face, bones, soft tissues, and sometimes the brain.

Examples of this condition include cleft lip and palate, which result from failure of a baby's upper lip to close properly during when still in the womb leading to an opening or split of the mouth. Craniosynostosis is a birth defect where fibrous lines between the bones of a baby fuse together too early, preventing the skull from growing normally. This leads to an abnormal head shape.    

And also, hemifacial microsomia, a structural disorder that causes asymmetric underdevelopment of one side of the face, mostly the ears, jaw, and cheekbones. If not addressed, these conditions affect the appearance, feeding, speech, vision, or hearing of the victims.

According to Ministry of Health spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona, priority will be given to patients usually paraded for support near Kira Road police station.

In addition to the free surgery, patients will be facilitated with a modest transport refund to return home.