Surgical Care in Myanmar: A Part of the Circle

Story originally featured in Transforming Cleft’s Annual Report released in May 2023.

For the last 20 years, Transforming Cleft has partnered locally to deliver Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) in Eastern Myanmar, where many families rely on medical care based in Thailand.  

Throughout 2022 & 2023, the border between Myanmar and Thailand remained closed. The pandemic and political instability cut families off from essential medical care, including safe cleft surgeries. 

Despite the immense challenges, TC’s local partners ensured that Myanmar parents knew how to properly feed children with cleft, had the necessities to provide their child a balanced diet to prevent malnutrition, and that their children continued in speech therapy through telehealth support. 

Families affected by cleft continued to receive care and thrived. But access to a medical facility where a safe surgery could be completed remained a barrier and the waiting list continued to grow. 

Thanks to the support of our monthly donors, well-reputed surgical care was exceptionally arranged for 11 children in Yangon, a 1.5-hour flight away. On arrival in Yangon, families’ accommodation, transportation, surgeries, and follow up appointments were all provided, alongside the accompaniment of caring local social workers.