Susanti Daba of Kampung Pangkalan Jawa, Limbang accompanied by her mum, is among the 347 patients who have undergone the cleft lip and palate corrective surgery thanks to the charity project.
MIRI: A two-month-old baby girl is among the 14 needy patients in and around Miri who are expected to benefit from charity cleft lip and palate corrective surgery to be held here starting Friday.
The assessment tests will be conducted by a renowned plastic surgeon from Kuala Lumpur, Dr Kim Tan and his surgical team, followed by operations to be performed in stages until July 11.
The charity project which enters its 18th series this year is by the Cleft Lips and Palate Association of Malaysia (Clapam) in collaboration with Columbia Asia Hospital-Miri (CAH-M).
“Clapam funded the project with some donations from the public. The corrective treatment is given for free to those who are eligible. Our hospital provides the operation venue and facilities as well as other necessary assistance for patients. All expenses are paid for needy patients and accompanying family members including transportation, lodging and food for one week,” said Yeoh Kim Looi, the CAH-M regional general manager for East Malaysia.
Yeoh said the 14 registered patients – the oldest is 38 years old – will undergo assessment for eligibility for corrective
surgery on Friday (July 7) morning.
The other patients besides the two-month-old infant are two adults, two teenagers, four children, two babies and three infants aged below two. They are of various races — Iban, Chinese, Malay, Kenyah, Bidayuh, Kelabit and Bajau.
Yeoh said although the charity project targeted those born with cleft lips and palates from poor families, especially rural children, with total household income below RM2,000 a month, those who partially fulfil the criteria may register with the hospital for assessment.
Those who do not meet the criteria are also welcome to contact the hospital for advice.
For more information, call Ho Siew Choon (chief of nursing) Goh Teck Nei (marketing executive) or Janet Aren (marketing assistant) at 085-437755/405600, or fax particulars to 085-425677.
As of 2016, the project has benefitted a total of 347 patients since it was first started in 2004.