Smile Train, in partnership with the Ghana Cleft Foundation, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), and the Ministry of Health, officially commissioned the continent’s first National Cleft Care Centre.
The state-of-the-art facility, located within KATH, is set to revolutionize cleft lip and palate treatment by providing free, comprehensive care under one roof.
The newly inaugurated centre spans 30,000 square feet and is equipped to offer a full spectrum of cleft-related medical services.
These include plastic and reconstructive surgery, speech therapy, nutritional support, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care, orthodontics, child health services, anesthesia, and intensive care.
This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive holistic treatment tailored to their unique needs.
At the commissioning ceremony, Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train, expressed profound gratitude and highlighted the significance of the centre for Ghana and the wider sub-Saharan region.
“It is my great honour to celebrate this historic milestone with you all, the official opening of the National Cleft Centre, Smile Train’s first Cleft Leadership Centre (CLC) in Ghana and indeed Africa,”Schaefer stated.
She reflected on the journey from a modest cleft care room at the Ghana Cleft Foundation to the expansive, world-class facility now standing at KATH.
Schäfer emphasized that the centre is more than just a building. “Our Cleft Leadership Centres serve as regional hubs for treatment, education, training, and research. This centre will increase capacity fivefold, enabling us to provide not only surgeries but comprehensive team-based care, including speech therapy, nutritional support, orthodontics, and psychosocial counseling.”
According to the President, “Since 2003, Smile Train has supported over 3,000 cleft surgeries in Ghana. However, with an estimated 700 babies born annually in Ghana with clefts, the need remains urgent.”
This she believes “the centre’s establishment underscores Smile Train’s commitment to local talent development and sustainable healthcare solutions.”
Chairman of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Otumfuo Hiahene Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, who chaired the occasion, praised the collaborative spirit behind the project.
“This achievement demonstrates the strength and power of unity, people from different lands, languages, and backgrounds coming together for a common cause,” he remarked.
He quoted a Chinese proverb to illustrate the lasting joy found in helping others and urged that the facility be carefully maintained to meet the high expectations set by all stakeholders.
He said “Now we are all very happy today. All the four individuals, four teams are happy, the patients are happy, the families are happy, and it reminds me of a Chinese proverb that says, if you want to be happy for one hour, you go and sleep. If you want to be happy for one day, you should go fishing. If you want to be happy for one year, pray to win the lottery. But if you want to be happy for all your life, then find someone to help. And this aid is what we’ve seen today by all the four pillars coming together to deliver this magnificent programme.
“And I’ll encourage Komfo Anokye board, management to make sure that this edifice is taken care of, is well maintained, so that we can meet the expectations that the Smile Train and the Minister of Health, the Ghana Cleft Foundation, have decided or hope to achieve,” he added.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister, expressed his pride in hosting the centre in Kumasi, describing it as a beacon of hope and dignity for children and families across the Ashanti region and beyond.
“This is not just a ribbon-cutting ceremony; it is a celebration of compassion, science, and our commitment to health equity,” Dr. Amoakohene said.
He lauded KATH’s management for their vision and Smile Train’s investment, which he said goes beyond surgery to restore self-esteem and empower communities.
“Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the board and the management of KATH for their foresight and education to this specialised healthcare facility,” Dr. Amoakohene stressed.
“To the partners, especially Smile Train and all the supporting organisations, your investment in cleft care represents more than a surgical intervention. You are restoring self-esteem, empowering our communities, and building the gap in access to healthcare services and we say Ayekoo for the work you have done for us.”
Source : www.kumasimail.com Kwadwo Owusu
