Cleft lip surgery in East Jakarta helps restore children's confidence

The East Jakarta Health Sub-department (Jaktim) has said that cleft lip and palate surgery can help restore children’s self-confidence in their daily lives.

“We hope that with the results of the cleft lip surgery at Ciracas Regional Hospital yesterday, the children can be more confident, not embarrassed in front of their peers, and that school and other activities can run smoothly,” said Head of the East Jakarta Health Sub-department Arief Wahyudhy when contacted in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to him, the surgery not only aims to improve the child’s physical condition but also supports their growth and development, which affects the child’s mental state in their surrounding environment.

In addition, the surgical procedure is also a form of health service to help communities who have children or family members with cleft lip conditions.

“In order to help our communities who have family members, perhaps those with concerns, whose children or relatives suffer from cleft lip, Alhamdulillah, the cleft lip and palate surgery activity could be carried out,” said Arief.

On the other hand, the cleft lip surgery at Ciracas Regional Hospital is also part of efforts to expand access to health services for the people of East Jakarta.

Arief said the activity was the result of a collaboration between the Indonesian Plastic Surgery Association and the Smile Train Foundation.

“This is a good collaboration between the government, the private sector and the community in order to expand access to health services,” said Arief.

He hopes that similar collaborations will continue to be developed so that health services can reach the community more broadly.

He revealed that the relatively large population of East Jakarta means the number of cases in the area is likely to be quite high compared to other regions.

Previously, 21 children underwent cleft lip and palate surgery in a social service activity at Ciracas Regional Hospital, Cibubur, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (19/8).

Of the 21 children who registered, not all participants could immediately undergo the medical procedure. Each prospective patient had to go through a screening process to ensure their health condition and eligibility for surgery.

Of the total 21 children, 18 were residents of East Jakarta, while the rest were from outside Jakarta.