Success story of HUKM clinic in treating cleft lip and palate

NIINETY-nine per cent of patients who sought treatment for cleft lip and palate at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUKM) clinic since 1997 have been successfully treated.
The integration clinic, the one and only in the country, was set up together with the Health Ministry.
Kelantan Health Department director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Maher said those who had been successfully treated also underwent rehabilitation and therapies.
A cleft lip is a separation of the upper lip and a cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. Clefts result from incomplete development of the lip or palate of the foetus in the early weeks of pregnancy.
He said one out of 900 people in Malaysia was born with the deformity and if not properly treated, may affect a patient's self-esteem.
Ahmad said improper treatment might lead to speech impairment although he no longer had physical distortion.
"We are helping these patients to live a normal life. However, they must receive early treatment," he said after attending the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Kelantan (CLAPAK) Family Day at the HUSM yesterday.
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