PAACLIP seeks sustainable cleft care across Africa

The sixth congress of the Pan African Association for Cleft Lip and Palate (PAACLIP) has opened in Abuja with calls for stronger African-led advocacy, sustainable health financing and comprehensive cleft care across the continent.

The congress, hosted by the Nigerian Association of Cleft Lip and Palate (NACLP) in partnership with the global cleft charity Smile Train and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is being held under the theme, “Building Sustainable and Resilient Cleft Care in Africa.”

In a press release by Emily Manjeru, PR and Communication Manager, Africa, the organisation said the gathering brings together multidisciplinary cleft care professionals, researchers and policymakers from across Africa for scientific sessions, training workshops and advocacy discussions aimed at strengthening access to quality cleft care.

Declaring the congress open, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, linked the discussions to Nigeria’s broader health sector priorities, including the recently signed Aso Rock Declaration on Health 2026 and the National Surgical, Obstetric, Anaesthesia and Nursing Plan.

“Surgeons can be trained, equipment can be donated, but none of it endures without a government willing to fund it, regulate it, and defend it in the national budget,” Pate said.

President of PAACLIP, Prof. Adeola Olusanya urged members of the association to strengthen collaboration across countries and disciplines in order to advance advocacy for cleft care.

“PAACLIP is founded on supportive multidisciplinary teams. When we work together across borders, our unified voice will build our advocacy initiatives in our local communities,” she said.

Also speaking, Smile Train Vice-President and Regional Director for Africa, Mrs Nkeiruka (NK) Obi, called on delegates to advocate for the inclusion of comprehensive cleft care in national health financing systems, publish outcomes generated by African treatment centres and mentor the next generation of cleft-care professionals.

“Africa has the opportunity to lead cleft care and cleft advocacy globally. This congress’s theme calls upon us to identify ways in which we can build our cleft care systems that will be scalable and sustainable within our local communities so that no child lives with untreated clefts,” Obi said.
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