Improving the quality of life for people living with disabilities

"I am very happy to see Lidya receiving help"

It is a warm day in Dar es Salaam and 2 year old Lidya is sitting with her mother on the crowded Orthopaedic Ward at CCBRT Disability Hospital waiting for a surgery that will change her life. Lidya's mother is holding her close, and comforting her before a daunting procedure. Lidya is one of 10 children and when she was born with a cleft lip, Lidya's mother didn't understand what has happened with her daughter "I have 10 children and none of them have any health problems. It is only Lidya, who was born with this strange condition. When I first saw her I was very worried about what was wrong."

The most immediate concern for a child with cleft lip is good nutrition. Infants with cleft lip have difficulties forming the seal necessary for proper breastfeeding; if a child has cleft palate, feeding difficulties can continue past breastfeeding age as the poorly formed roof of the mouth can cause regurgitation and choking. Repairing clefts is also vital to support normal speech.

Cleft lip is a widely misunderstood in Tanzania. Many families do not understand that the condition is treatable with a simple surgical procedure, which is provided free of charge at CCBRT Disability Hospital. "When I was growing up, I used to see children, even adults with the same condition as Lidya, but I didn't know what it was."

It was not until Lidya's family were introduced to one of CCBRT's Ambassadors that they realised that help was available, and that Lidya would not have to live with her impairment for the rest of her life.

As Lidya and her mother waited for her surgery, Lidya's mother became increasingly convinced that she had done the right thing in bringing Lidya for treatment, "I have confidence in the doctors and nurses at CCBRT. Since our arrival I have seen several children being taken into theatre and afterwards their lips have been fully repaired. CCBRT provides life changing services. I will be very happy to see Lidya receive help, and I am very grateful to CCBRT and its partners for the support."

Irish Aid is a longstanding supporter of CCBRT Disability Hospital. In 2014, Irish Aid provided €700,000 in funding to support the provision of equitable access to affordable, quality medical and rehabilitative services for people living with disabilities. Irish Aid support enables CCBRT to provide surgical and outpatient services for ophthalmology, obstetric fistula, orthopaedics and reconstructive surgery such as Lidya's. In 2014, CCBRT was supported to conduct over 10,000 life-changing surgeries.