Tanzania:
In a continuation of a program that has run since 2001, AngloGold
Ashanti’s Geita Gold Mine (GGM) has again financed the surgery of a
number of operations for community members suffering cleft lips and
cleft palates.
This condition is a birth defect in which the tissues of the mouth or
lip do not form properly during foetal development. It is an unusually
common occurrence in the Geita district.
The good news is that the condition is treatable. Most children who
are born with these deformities can have reconstructive surgery within
the first 6 to 18 months of life to correct the defect and
significantly improve their facial appearance. This surgery enables
children to attend school with greater self esteem. Once treated,
patients experience reduced fear of stigmatisation.
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To date, GGM has sponsored this surgery for more than 550 people. The
normal cost of the operation is between Shs.800,000.00 – 1,000,000.00
(Eight hundred thousand to One Million shillings).
This year the program ran from the 6th to 19th April, 2013. In
addition to treatment of lip and cleft palate, patients suffering
burns, contractures (a muscle tissue condition) body parts swellings
and malignant tumors were also operated on. Patients came from
villages across the Lake Victoria zone. Surgery was carried out at the
Sekou Toure hospital in Mwanza.
GGM support included transportation of patients to and from their
villages to the hospital, meals, and hospital accommodation.
The whole exercise was conducted by Rafiki Surgical Mission (plastic
surgeons) from Western Australia who have specialised in surgery for
facial deformities for children and adults in various countries in
Africa, including Tanzania.
Speaking during the end of the program for this year, Dr. Onesmo
Rwakendela, Sekou Toure hospital director, said: “We extend our
appreciation for the program which gives to the children their
beautiful smiles and offer adults their confidence. It’s very
expensive to do this, but GGM involvement has made it possible”.
GGM acting MD Steven Robins said, “Our mission is to see that the
communities where we operate are better off for us being there. This
is just one of many initiatives that GGM is pursuing. We thank the
surgeons from Australia, and communities for responding positively to
the program.”
Mrs. Taka Wild, Rafiki Surgical Mission team leader, expressed her
appreciation to GGM for making the mission successful by sponsoring
all patients operated during the two weeks of surgeries.
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