Cleft lip surgery now available free of charge in public hospitals
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sanctioned a law that makes it compulsory for public hospitals to offer reconstructive surgery for cleft lip or cleft palate.
The piece of legislation also covers post-surgical treatment—including speech therapy, psychology, orthodontics, and other services necessary for the patient’s full recovery. It also benefits newborn babies.
“When cleft lip is diagnosed during prenatal care or after birth, the newborn shall be referred to a specialized center in good time to begin clinical follow-up and to schedule repair surgery,” the text reads.
Should the patient need oral motor therapy, a speech therapist will be available free of charge to help them with suction and chewing exercises as well as speech development. In addition, the patient may be assisted by an orthodontist, who will decide on dental implants and the adoption of orthodontic appliances in the treatment.
The rapporteur for the bill in the lower house, Representative Dr. Ismael Alexandrino, noted that around 15 children are born with this malformation every day in Brazil.
“The later the child is operated on, the more problems it causes from the standpoint of development, nutrition, infections, and bullying,” he remarked.
In his view, even though the treatment can be interpreted as already guaranteed by the Constitution, the new law makes this right explicit and strengthens it.
