Africa-Transforming Cleft Care: The Pivotal Role of Ghana's Specialty Center
The Ghana National Cleft Care Center, inaugurated on June 25 in Kumasi, is serving as a model for other countries in the region, demonstrating the potential of global vision and local leadership in improving cleft care. This new center, located at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, is not just the largest cleft care facility on the continent, but also a testament to over two decades of collaboration that has already enabled nearly 3,000 cleft surgeries in Ghana.
The center, Ghana's first Smile Train Cleft Leadership Center, is a significant step forward in improving cleft care. It not only builds local capacity but also strengthens regional health systems. Surgeons, nurses, speech therapists, and nutritionists from across Africa will train at the center, bringing life-changing expertise back to their home countries.
The economic impact of such centers is profound. An economic impact study conducted by Smile Train in 2024 found a staggering $69 billion USD boost to global economies since its inception in 1999, with a return of more than 150x on every dollar invested in surgical programs. The Ghana National Cleft Care Center is not just a health priority, but also an economic imperative, as healthy children grow into healthy, productive adults who strengthen families, communities, and nations.
Clefts affect an estimated 1 in every 1,200 births in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 700 children born with clefts in Ghana each year. The new center has the potential to transform millions of lives, providing children with the ability to eat without struggle, speak their first words, and attend school without fear of bullying or isolation.
However, the work ahead is significant. Further action is required to ensure comprehensive cleft care is accessible to all who need it. Priority areas include expanding access, improving follow-up care, and increasing the availability of psychosocial support. The work ahead requires commitment and collaboration at every level, including policymakers, clinicians, community leaders, and international partners.
For updates on the Ghana National Cleft Care Center, the Standard channel on WhatsApp is available. Additionally, the Standard ePaper App can be downloaded to stay informed and empowered. This center is part of a global network of Smile Train Cleft Leadership Centers in several countries, working together to improve cleft care worldwide.
The opening of the Ghana National Cleft Care Center is a significant milestone in the fight against cleft-related challenges. Susannah Schaefer, the President and CEO of Smile Train, and Prof Peter Donkor, the past President of the West African College of Surgeons, have been instrumental in this achievement. Their leadership, along with the partnership between Smile Train, the Ghana Ministry of Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Ghana Cleft Foundation, will undoubtedly lead to a brighter future for cleft-affected children in Ghana and beyond.
