Smile Train Foundation, a global cleft charity, and a delegation of pageant titleholders have visited the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, to strengthen healthcare advocacy and collaboration.
The visit was aimed at enhancing institutional collaboration, community sensitisation and advocacy for improved access to quality healthcare services for people living with cleft conditions.
The meeting sits at the intersection of two long histories of service. Smile Train, founded in 1999 by American businessman and philanthropist Charles B. Wang, pioneered a sustainable “teach a man to fish” model that empowers local medical professionals to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive care in their own communities.
Over more than two decades, the organisation has supported more than two million safe cleft surgeries across over 75 countries, making it the world’s largest cleft-focused charity.
Its footprint in Nigeria is significant. With an estimated 6,000 babies born with cleft lip and palate in the country each year — studies place the prevalence of orofacial clefts at roughly 0.5 to 0.8 per 1,000 live births — Smile Train has worked with Nigerian partner hospitals for years, including supporting the country’s first Cleft Week in 2011, and has backed tens of thousands of surgeries nationwide.
LUTH, the host institution, is itself a pillar of Nigerian medicine. Established by an act of Parliament in the early 1960s following a 1961 Cabinet decision, the Idi-Araba teaching hospital was created to serve the then newly established Lagos Medical School and has grown into one of the country’s foremost tertiary institutions, with over 950 admission beds and 46 clinical departments.
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The delegation, led by Prof. Ogunlewe, was received by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Prof. Ayodeji Oluwole.
Discussions during the visit focused on ways to strengthen partnerships between healthcare institutions and humanitarian organisations in addressing challenges affecting individuals and families living with cleft conditions.
Representing the Miss category were Precious Amogu, Miss Tourism Nigeria; Damilola Remi Fakoya, Miss Cosmo Nigeria; Omega Richard, Miss Tourism Africa Nigeria; Eloho Eric, International Tourism Queen Nigeria; Veronica Adoga, Runner-Up, Miss Tourism Nigeria; Deborah Emmanuel, Runner-Up, Miss Tourism Africa; and Collete Nwadike, CEO, Miss Tourism Nigeria and National Director, Miss Cosmo Nigeria.
The Mister category was represented by Isinwa Senator, Mister Cosmo/Universe Nigeria; Michael Cypher, Mister Cosmopolitan Nigeria; Oyetunde Bolaji, Man of the Year Nigeria; Nelson Nelly, Mr Universe Top Model; Odaudu Christian, First Runner-Up, Mr Universe; Asadu Onyebuchi, Mr Tourism Africa Winner; and Lam Chris Chidubem, Director, Mr Universe Nigeria and Mr Cosmo Nigeria.
Also present were Dr Sunny Olukunle Phillips, Programme Director, West Africa, Smile Train Foundation; Mrs Victoria Ogundipe, Senior Programme Manager, Nigeria; and Mrs Adaeze Muonyelu, Programme Assistant, Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, Ms Collete Nwadike highlighted the impact of their awareness walk aimed at creating greater awareness about cleft conditions and available support.
Nwadike shared the story of a new mother who sought assistance shortly after giving birth as a direct result of the awareness campaign, highlighting the real-world impact of community outreach and the importance of encouraging individuals to seek timely medical support.
“The awareness walk is about ensuring that people understand that cleft conditions can be treated and that support is available for affected families,” she said.
“Her decision to seek help shows the real-world impact of community outreach and the importance of encouraging people to seek timely medical support,” Nwadike said.
Oluwole appreciated Smile Train Foundation and the pageant titleholders for their commitment to healthcare advocacy and support for individuals and families affected by cleft conditions.
“We appreciate your commitment to serving humanity and supporting efforts to improve the lives of people affected by cleft conditions,” he said.
He urged the delegation to sustain its advocacy, stressing that partnerships, public awareness and community engagement were essential to improving healthcare outcomes.
“Strategic partnerships and sustained public awareness are important in complementing clinical services and improving access to quality healthcare,” Oluwole said.
NAN
