Nigeria's Government to Enhance Cleft Care Services

The Federal Government of Nigeria is working towards integrating comprehensive cleft lip and palate care into the existing health system, including exploring health insurance coverage for children with these conditions. Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this announcement at the 6th Biennial Conference of the Pan-African Association for Cleft Lip and Palate (PAACLIP) in Abuja.

The conference focused on "Building Resilient and Sustainable Cleft Care in Africa" and gathered cleft-care practitioners and health professionals from various African nations. Salako, represented by Dr Abisola Adegoke, the Director of Hospital Services, stated that the government aims to make cleft care a routine health service rather than an act of charity.

Plans include collaborating with the National Health Insurance Authority to create a cleft-care package for vulnerable children under five, enhancing primary healthcare services, and integrating cleft-related data into the National Health Management Information System.