South Sudan’s Ministry of Health and its partners plan to support surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate in Wau town, a local official said.

A cleft is a gap or split in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth that is present from birth. It is estimated that one in every 700 births worldwide result in the cleft lip and cleft palate deformity.

Dr. James Ambrose Ucin, the Director General at the Ministry of Health in the defunct Wau State, told reporters on Friday that they plan to conduct free reconstructive surgery for children with cleft lip and palate in Wau.

Ambrose further said they are targeting children under 15 years of age. “The reconstructive surgery will be free because it has been supported by the Catholic Church. So, families from remote areas in the other states should come to Wau. People will be accommodated and the transport money will be given back to them, “he said.

He added,” We are also planning to conduct general surgical operations, which will be conducted by our consultants Dr. Patrick and Isaac who are coming from Juba.”

The campaign is expected to commence on 12 March at Mary Help Maternal and Child Friendly Hospital. It will be implemented in collaboration with Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s Ministry of Health, Wau Teaching Hospital, and Mary Help Maternal and Child Friendly Hospital.