Screenings for free cleft palate, lip surgeries opened

BACOLOR — The Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF), in cooperation with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), will be hosting the next batch of screenings for its free cleft palate and cleft lip surgeries.

KDF president Benigno Ricafort told Sun.Star Pampanga that the screenings will be held at the Jose A. Datu Medical Center (JADMC) in Barangay San Vicente here on April 11.Ricafort said the funding for the programs has been made possible through the cooperation of the PCSO. He said such free surgeries aim to benefit indigent Kapampangans and their families suffering from facial deformities like cleft palate and cleft lip.

“The expenses for such operations are really very burdensome to most indigents. The program aims to lighten that burden and give beneficiaries a better chance to live their lives without such deformities, particularly, the young ones,” Ricafort said.

The incidence of oral cleft in the Philippines is estimated at one in every 500 live births. With an average of two million live births a year, 4,000 new cleft cases are added annually here in the country.

Recent study shows that malnutrition and lack of Vitamin 6 and Folic Acid during pregnancy period might be one of the causes of harelip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.

Ricafort said commercial reconstructive surgery usually costs thousands of pesos, but with the KDF program, patients would not be spending for the surgery as it would be shouldered by KDF and other partner organizations that share their resources for the program.

During the screening date, KDF will also have cataract surgeries, prosthetic distributions, among others.

The event is expected to be attended by partner organizations like Rotary Clubs of Pampanga, Quota International of Pampanga, Soroptimist Club, Lions Club, and government officials.