An overview of Cleft care in Nigeria

Abstract

This is an overview of the present state of cleft lip and palate care in Nigeria. The aim is to stimulate further discussions on the need to improve standard of care and quality of life in patients with cleft lip and palate deformities. The number of cleft surgeries and surgeons involved in cleft repairs across Nigeria is increasing due to availability of free treatment grants provided by non-governmental organisation; therefore, it has become imperative to assess the quality of surgery and quality of cleft care. It is expected that as the number of repaired cleft lip/palate increases, more patients will require secondary repair, speech therapy, and orthodontics therapy and orthognathic surgery. The following recommendations are made to improve the standard of cleft care in Nigeria: establishment of multidisciplinary team approach, formulation of policy on quality control, establishment of fellowship training in cleft care and establishment of regional specialised cleft care centre.