Written by Lawrence Njoku, Enugu


A BOOST was at the weekend added to the effort of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu (HONE) on Cleft Care when a United States –based organization, The Smile Train presented her with an award of excellence as 2014 Global Leader in the disease.

The Smile Train, Programme Manager, West Africa, Victoria Awazie, said the hospital was adjudged “the best in Cleft Care management” among 86 other countries of the world, saying it was an indication of other good things that can come from Nigeria.

She said the hospital was a well known healthcare organization that combines effective, proven research, cutting-edge procedures and state-of-the-art treatment to produce optimum medical and lifestyle outcomes for its patients.

She said: “The hospital and medical staff provide world-class,

innovative Orthopaedic care in a friendly, compassionate, community environment conducive to patient recuperation in a family atmosphere.

Little wonder it won the award after a thorough survey was conducted”.

Awazie, called on the management of the hospital not to relent but consolidate on what had been achieved so far, stressing that its efforts were being monitored the world over.

Earlier, Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe, said the award was a celebration of the outstanding successes in the Smile Train programmes embarked by he hospital.

He said the idea was to render help to those who had inborn defects, alleviate poverty and restore human dignity.

“So far we have handled more than 500 cases and the affected children can now associate with their peers freely. No more stigmatization on their side.

A particular interest was a lady with cleft challenge but after the surgery, she did not only become normal, she also got married and has children now.

National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu has been identified as an outstanding centre based on its quality service to the people.

This award that came from a US-based outfit is an encouragement for us to continue to do more to alleviate the sufferings of children. Whoever knows any patient with cleft defect should refer him/her to us. It’s free of charge”, he said.

Also speaking a Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Ifeanyi Onah, said he was not surprised that the hospital won the award based on the quality of service obtainable in the hospital.

“I am not surprised that we offer excellent service. That has been our ambition. I am not surprised that we bequeathed what ordinarily could be offered outside Nigeria. My surprise is that it has been recognized globally”, Onah said.

Smile Train is an international children’s charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problems like cleft lip and palate.

Millions of children in developing countries with unrepaired clefts live in shame, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing

and speaking.

According to medical experts, Cleft repair surgery is simple, and the transformation is immediate.

The organizers provide training and funding to empower local doctors in the 86 developing countries to provide 100%-free cleft repair surgery in their communities.
Source: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/197575-enugu-orthopaedic-hospital-emerges-global-leader-in-cleft-care