Islamabad Cleft Lip and Palate Association (ICLAP) has arranged a seven days camp wherein surgeries of 56 surgeries of the poor clef lip and palate patients was performed by Chinese doctors. A function was organised on Sunday at the conclusion of seven days camp to acknowledge the services of Chinese doctors-Dr Malian and Dr Zhou Xia-who performed surgeries by the President of the ICLAP Muhammad Aftab Ahmed.
The participants were informed that during the seven days camp surgeries of 56 clef lip and palate patients was performed whereas from 2014 onward 300 surgeries had been performed. While giving overview of the ICLAP, the participants were informed that a hospital was set up to help the people with deformities of cleft lip and cleft palate. Chinese doctors are vesting the camps established by the hospital since 2017 and performing surgeries.
While speaking on the occasion, Dr Malian stated that she was very excited to be in Pakistan and to help the poor patients of cleft lip and palate and added that their treatment need continuous for a log period with multiple surgeries. She added that she has decided to provide training with regard to quality cleft lip and palate patients. Dr Zhou briefly stated that cooperation between China and Pakistan's private sector in health would further cement relations of friendship between the two sides.
The cleft lip and palate treatment is not cheap for the poor as the treatment requires not only surgeries but ICLAP requires to import feeding equipment for the patients, the speakers stated adding that cost of surgeries is also go beyond 0.5 million for each patient depending on number of surgeries. The ICLAP has been providing free of cost treatment to the cleft lips and palate patients.
The speaker further stated that from 2014 onward, all surgeries are being done by the ICLAP free of cost and association organizes sets up camp every year where patients with deformities of cleft lip and palate are operated by the Chinese doctors. The medical students and young doctors from various hospitals are mobilized in the camp. The participants were informed that a new hospital is being planned for which land has already been acquired but financing is major challenge as so for ICLAP was being provided funds by the individuals and some donors.