A transformative partnership between the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused charity, is set to revolutionize cleft care for children across Nigeria. This transformative collaboration positions RSUTH as the newest surgical partner in Smile Train’s global network, providing free cleft treatment and comprehensive care to those in need.

The partnership was formally announced at a conference in Port Harcourt, where Professor Chizindu Alikor, Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, emphasized the hospital’s dedication to medical excellence. “We are going to be intentional to the tiniest detail about the care of every child who comes through our doors,” he said, RSUTH has a proven track record of excellence, recently recognized as the top-performing institution in a multi-center health initiative supported by the U.S. Embassy.

The collaboration goes beyond surgery, providing comprehensive care services including:

– Nutritional support
– Speech therapy
– Psychosocial counseling

Dr. Oti Nimi Aria, Head of the Cleft Team at RSUTH, outlined an ambitious plan to take cleft care into underserved communities through grassroots outreach, mobile clinics, and culturally relevant education campaigns. “We want to find them early, treat them holistically, and support their families,” Dr. Aria said.

Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa at Smile Train, described the partnership as a long-awaited fulfillment. “With a team this passionate, I have no doubt that RSUTH will become a center of excellence not just for Rivers State, but for the entire region,” she said. “Every child with a cleft who walks into this facility will walk out with confidence and a beautiful smile.”

This partnership marks a major step forward in eliminating barriers to cleft care in Nigeria, where thousands of children are still living with untreated clefts due to poverty, stigma, or lack of access. With RSUTH now officially on board, families across Rivers State and beyond have new reasons to hope.

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