ISLAMABAD, Jan 27: A group of British and Pakistani surgeons has offered to operate upon patients suffering from cleft lip and palate disability free of cost. An announcement by the Pakistan Cleft Lip and Palate Association (PCLAPA) on Wednesday said the surgeries will be performed from February 18 to 26 at the privately-run Bashir Hospital in Gujrat which will provide medical facilities and three or four days post-operation stay free of charge.

Patients desirous of availing the offer have been advised to register themselves with Dr Akhtar Rehman (Tel No 051-2251275) or Dr Ijaz Bashir or the staff at Bashir Hospital (Tel No 053-3521102 and -3524139).

Out of 530 live births in Pakistan, one is born with cleft lip, cleft palate or both - a disability that badly disfigures a patient who faces difficulty in taking food and also suffers psychologically.

According to PCLAPA, the team of surgeons who have offered their services free, comprises internationally known specialists, consultants, plastic and other surgeons including British and England-based Pakistani doctors.

It is the 15th free camp that PCLAPA is organizing since its formation in 1995. At the last camp held a year ago, British and Pakistani surgeons examined 800 patients and performed surgeries on 105 with 100 percent success rate. This surgery produces the best results on three months to one-year-old children with cleft lip and palate.

More than 5,000 patients have been treated and over 900 operated upon during the 14 camps held so for as charitable work, Dr Ijaz Bashir, Secretary General of PCLAPA said.