Cleft Lip Surgical Intervention in Resource Constraint Settings: A Case Report

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate is a very common condition which is globally undertreated. This case report shows how cleft lip surgery can transform patient’s lives, self-perception, and their self-esteem through a visionary and adaptive leadership of a few social workers and medical doctors in resource constrained settings. The case report also shows that when treated, the benefits to the patient and their family are lifelong and disproportionately large compared to the degree of effort and cost of doing the reconstruction; and puts forth the case for educating physicians to maximize their societal benefit through work in resource-constrained settings.