They help people with cleft lip smile

MYSORE: For nearly four decades, Akkanagamma, 40, from rural Mysore was unable to communicate clearly because she was born with a cleft lip. Her words were misunderstood by many at her work place. But today she is able to communicate normally like others. Thanks to a free cleft lip reconstructive surgery camp being organized by St Joseph Hospital and German-based Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe in Mysore. In the past two months, 75 persons including children have been benefitted by the camp, which is under way at St Joseph's Hospital. Akkanagamma from Heggadadevana Kote taluk looks overjoyed after the operation because people hereafter won't stare at her face. She used to feel embarrassed then. "But today I am grateful to the hospital and the German organization for giving me life again,'' she said. "Though my family advised me to get treatment, I neglected as I couldn't afford it then. I found it difficult to speak clearly. Friends and colleagues would tell me that they couldn't comprehend what I was saying. When I heard about the free cleft treatment I immediately rushed to the hospital. I underwent the unilateral isolated cleft lip surgery in September. After the surgery I was advised rest for five days but I didn't have much pain. Now, I can speak with clarity," said Akkanagamma, who works in a private firm. N Channabasappa, the parent of a four-month old boy, too was benefitted by the camp. "Initially, I was afraid to get the treatment for my child as he was just three months old then. Later, when the doctor explained the procedure of the treatment to me and assured me that my little one could speak normally like others, I agreed. Now, we are happy,'' he stated. Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe's surgeon Dr Manu Prasad S told TOI: "I saw many people who had this deformity and they wouldn't come forward to get the treatment as most of them were poor. Our aim is to help and create awareness among such persons." "It is better to get a cleft lip surgery done when the child is 3 months old as it could have normal lips as it grows. A person has to undergo six stages of surgeries till 18 years. A team of doctors like a specialist surgeon, anesthesiologist and physician, pediatrician and speech pathologist will interact with the patient," he explained. The surgery outside would cost minimum Rs 20,000, a doctor claimed. Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe will open its second super speciailty cleft facility at Nanjangud town on November 5. Deputy consul of Germany Hans-Gunther Loffler will inaugurate. St Joseph's Hospital director Mari Raj said they were happy to partner with the German company for a cause. "Our aim is to make quality healthcare accessible to the underprivileged,'' Mari Raj said.