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NewInitiative
Rotary-Manipal University Cleft Lip/Palate Project Take off
 Rotary-Manipal
University Cleft Lip/Palate Project 2008 was recently launched to achieve 'near
cleft-free population/society' in Udupi district of Karnataka.
The project was charted out by Dr Pramod Kumar, Professor
and Head, Department of Plastic Surgery, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal with the
initiatives of Dr Vasanth Prabhu (Rotary Club of Chester County, Lionville,
US). It was Dr Prabhu, who was supporting the previous MAHE-Rotary Cleft Lip
Projects which was instrumental in controlling the Cleft Lip/Palate in Udupi.
By definition, 'near cleft-free population/ society' will represent a society
that will not have any cleft after school going age (five years). Osteotomies
will be done at an appropriate and generally acceptable age.
The team has identified 43 cases for treatment to achieve the objectives of
the project. The Rs 4-lakh project has been sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Udupi
Manipal and Central Chester County, USA to the extent of Rs 2 lakh and Manipal
University has contributed another Rs 2 lakh.
Dr Promod Kumar, Head, Dept of Plastic Surgery, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal informs
that incidence of cleft lip and palate cases increases after consanguineous
marriages (marriage between close relation). Major causes of this congenital
disease are malnutrition with certain vitamin deficiencies, genetic transmission,
certain drugs, exposure to high doses of radiation, trauma and viral fever with
rashes during the early pregnancy.
Since birth, says Dr Pramod Kumar, these patients require repeated check up
by paediatricians and other experts to detect any other birth disease and make
the baby to grow normally. It is important that the operation is done at correct
age. Else patients may develop various cosmetic, dental, speech and various
other problems. Correct age for cleft lip operation that gives optimal result
is two and half months to three months and for the cleft palate it is one to
one and half years.
Dr B H Anand Rao, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital said that through
this project, Udupi district will become the first district in India free of
cleft lip/palate. He solicited the cooperation and support from the media and
public to report cleft lip/palate cases in their vicinity to the district authorities
and these cases will be taken up for free treatment at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.
EH News Bureau
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