Our First Camp

Cleft Care Foundation’s Transformative Cleft Camp: A Day of Hope and Healing

On January 6th, 2024, the Cleft Care Foundation (CCF) conducted its first screening cleft camp that radiated hope and compassion. With a mission to provide comprehensive care to individuals born with cleft lip and palate, CCF brought together a team of specialists from diverse fields, each contributing their expertise to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

The success of the cleft camp lay in the collaborative effort of specialists from various disciplines, all converging with a unified purpose: to address the multifaceted needs of individuals with cleft conditions. Among the prominent specialties featured in the camp were:

1. Plastic Surgery: Plastic surgeon, Dr Yasir Iqbal, screened the patients who required cleft lip and palate repair surgeries and offered his services for the cause.
2. Maxillofacial Surgeon: Dr Adnan Aslam, the Maxillofacial surgeon assessed the patients for craniofacial anomalies associated with cleft lip and palate. He offered his expertise for reconstructive procedures and secondary cleft palate surgeries.
3. Dental and Orthodontic Care: A team of dental professionals consisting of Dr Afeef Umar Zia (Orthodontist), Dr Sharaz Ahmed (Endodontist), Dr Aysha Sadaf (Prosthodontist), Dr Esha Zakria (Resident Orthodontics) and Dr Huma Khan (Resident Orthodontics), provided essential oral health assessments addressing issues such as dental malocclusions and dental hygiene. Orthodontists offered expertise in correcting dental alignment, ensuring optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes. Prosthodontist provided her expertise regarding feeding plate and Endodontist assessed the patients for caries and restorative procedures.
4. Speech Therapy: Speech therapist, Mr Kamran Khan Rana, played a pivotal role in enhancing communication skills and addressing speech impediments commonly associated with cleft palate.
5. Psychological Support: Recognizing the psychosocial challenges faced by individuals with cleft conditions, Psychiatrist, Dr Sadia Yasir, offered empathetic support and guidance.
6. ENT (Otolaryngology): ENT specialist Dr Mehreen, played a pivotal role in evaluating and managing cleft-related issues affecting the ear, nose, and throat.
7. Audiology: Audiologist, Mr Jahangeer Badar, brought his specialized skills in assessing and treating hearing impairments, which often accompany cleft conditions due to anatomical variations and middle ear dysfunction. Through a range of diagnostic tests and rehabilitative interventions, he assessed each individual with cleft-related hearing loss.

A Day of Empowerment and Transformation

For patients and their families that gathered at the cleft camp, this day marked the beginning of a transformative journey towards a brighter future. Beyond the medical interventions, the camp fostered a sense of community and belonging, as individuals shared their experiences and forged connections with others facing similar challenges.

Beyond the confines of a single event, CCF commits to provide comprehensive cleft care on regular basis, offering a beacon of hope to countless individuals across communities.

The cleft camp stood as a testament to the power of collective action and the boundless potential for positive change.