CLEFT LIP/ PALATE also known as (MDOMO SUNGURA IN SWAHILI ) is among of congenital malformation that a baby is born with. Congenital Malformation is a physical defects present in baby at birth this condition can involves many different parts of the body however in cleft lip or palate this involves the lips, it can be one lip or both, and when the cleft involves the roof of the mouth that is a palate it is called cleft palate.
in cleft palate the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose while in that of the lip contain an opening into the upper lip that can extend into the nose.
CAUSES
up to now there is no specific causes to these congenital malformation however different researches show they can be caused by genetic of the parents, exposing the fetus to malforming agents, such as X rays, alcohol and some drugs that can interfere with the formation and development of the fetus ( embryology)
Now days the problem is increasing through out the world however in developing country mainly in Africa this problem is assumed as a curse in the family due to fact that low education among of some society is the source of this false belief.
In some societies when a baby is born with any physical malformation the baby is killed or mistreated, we have experienced these going on in different parts of developing countries eg, killing of Albinism people and selling their body parts .
IN Tanzania for example babies born with physical malformation are granted a free healthcare to repair their malformation one of these is a cleft palate /lip repair.
although the government is trying to raise awareness there is a need to emphasize more to educate the society in order save these children with physical malformation.
ONE of the program to be done on cleft lip/palate repair will be held FROM 13th JUNE up to 21 JUNE 2018
in ARUSHA TANZANIA, at MOUNT MERU HOSPITAL THE SERVICE WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE NO PAYMENT, the Campaign has been spreading through social network informing the people with babies having such a problem
to send their babies to get treated.