Free Cleft Lip, Palate Surgery for 120 Children in Kabul

A group of specialist doctors from the Bangladesh Islamic Center has arrived in Kabul to perform surgeries on children with cleft lip and palate.

In cooperation with the Afghan Red Crescent Society, the team is expected to provide free surgeries to 120 children with these conditions.

Shahabuddin Delawar, Director General of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, said: “I ask Red Crescent officials, given the large number of patients, some of whom have come from remote areas, to ensure that no patient is left disappointed and that everyone receives care.”

Mohammad Hamza, a representative of the Bangladesh Islamic Center, said: “God willing, these surgeries will continue until we see every child in Afghanistan smiling with a healthy and beautiful face, without any injury or deformity, and until every child can speak their mother tongue, or any language they wish, fluently, correctly and without difficulty.”

The Bangladeshi doctors say they have experience in cleft lip and palate surgery and that nearly 95 percent of the procedures they have performed have been successful.

They add that after completing this program, they will seek to expand surgical services to remote areas of Afghanistan.

Tasnim Good, a doctor, said: “This program has progressed successfully because some of the best plastic surgeons from Bangladesh are taking part. The team has previously performed surgeries in 15 countries and travels to different countries every year to carry out similar programs. This is the fourth time the team has come to Afghanistan.”

Rezwan, a doctor, said: “We intend to continue coming to Afghanistan and carrying out this program for as long as possible—not only in Afghanistan, but in other countries as well.”

Families who have brought their children for treatment say the availability of these free services provides an important opportunity for their children to receive treatment.

Shirin, the mother of one of the children, said: “We came from Khost. We were very worried about our children’s condition, and now we are grateful that they are receiving treatment.”

Over the past two years, this group of Bangladeshi doctors has also treated more than 200 children with cleft lip and palate in Afghanistan.