The 1st South African Comprehensive Cleft Care Workshop (CCCW) is a valuable opportunity for professionals dedicated to the intricate field of cleft care in Sub-Saharan Africa. This event will provide education and hands-on training for a diverse group of specialists, including surgeons, dentists, psychologists, and speech therapists. Attendees will be able to immediately put their learning to use in their own communities for the children and adults in need of cleft care.
Cleft is one of the most common birth defects in the world, occurring in approx. 1 in every 700 births globally. Without proper and timely care, children born with cleft face heightened risks of premature death, poor health outcomes, and poverty. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of skilled cleft care providers to treat the 250,000 patients born with cleft each year in these areas. The need for education and training in cleft care cannot be met through humanitarian outreach alone.
This project will provide scholarship funding for surgeons, dentists, nurses, speech therapists, and other providers in Sub-Saharan Africa to attend the CCCW in Cape Town to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to provide the best care to patients in their communities. During the 2-day, immersive workshop, attendees will learn from world leaders in the field, observe live surgery, and can participate in hands-on surgical simulations with one-on-one mentoring.
Investing in the training of cleft providers in Sub-Saharan Africa will help build capacity for localized high-quality cleft care and reduce the reliance on humanitarian aid. Our workshop will enhance the delivery of comprehensive cleft care services, expand access to treatment for underserved populations, and ultimately improve outcomes for children with cleft lip and palate in the region.
