Health

Dealing with cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate are kinds of birth defects. A cleft lip is an opening or split in the upper lip. A cleft palate is an opening or split the roof of the mouth (called the palate). A baby can be born with 1 or both of these conditions. Some babies with a cleft lip have a small notch in their upper lip. Others have a larger opening or hole that goes all the way to the bottom of their nose
A team of visiting facial plastic surgeons and local surgeons attend to patients with such facial and oral cleft defects at Rwanda Military Hospital last week. / Courtsey photos.
A team of visiting facial plastic surgeons and local surgeons attend to patients with such facial and oral cleft defects at Rwanda Military Hospital last week. / Courtsey photos.
Dr Ian Shyaka