A team of medics led by Dr Tony Giles, a surgeon from the medical charity, Mercy Ships, have begun their one month humanitarian services by offering free medical treatment to cleft lip and cleft palate patients in The Gambia.  

The humanitarian services carried out by the medical charity is described by many as timely.  Following a visit to the Republic of Benin, the team of medics arrived in The Gambia recently, commenced rendering their humanitarian services at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH).  Almost 50 cleft lip and cleft palate patients, among them children, have been offered admission in the Orthopaedic Ward of the RVTH in Banjul.

Speaking to this reporter last Friday at the hospital, the head of the medical team, Tony Giles, said the operations take them one and a half to two and a half hours to complete. Dr Giles added that many experts are of the view that the defect is likely to affect somebody whose parents are smokers or someone whose parents are close relatives. He called on those affected to come forward and receive free medical treatment. He then confirmed that they have already discharged six patients so far.

Dr Giles took the opportunity to thank The Gambia government through the RVTH administration, for giving them the opportunity to render their humanitarian services to the people.  Beverley Sutton, a nurse with the Mercy Ship team, expressed his satisfaction with the positive turnout of Gambians.

Ndey Ida Barrow, a cleft palate patient, expressed appreciation to the team for the treatment. Ramatoulie Sarr, a resident of Latrikunda German and mother of Mariama Jobe, a cleft lip patient, also thanked the team for a successful treatment.