Ria was born on October 3, 2019 in Bogra (Bangladesh). Her cleft lip is very large and extends up to her nose. In addition, Ria has a cleft palate. The girl was four months old when Dr. Zaman, the lead surgeon on one of our four Bangladeshi projects, operated her for the first time. Ria’s mother is full of gratitude when she holds her daughter in her arms after the operation. Ria’s “new face” seems like a miracle to her. But she knows that it is the result of the work of our Bangladeshi doctors.
She promises Dr. Zaman that she will bring Ria back for the equally important second operation, to close the cleft palate. Dr. Zaman explained to the young mother that otherwise the untreated cleft palate would mean that her daughter would never be able to speak properly, and that even eating and drinking would be difficult for her.
On September 18, 2020, Ria finally gets her palate surgery. The operation is successful. Ria takes it well, giving her mother and Dr. Zaman a bright smile on the same day – a very special moment of happiness for her mother. For Dr. Zaman moments like these are the greatest recognition of his work, and a great motivation to continue working to help children with cleft lip and palate.
At the age of just under a year, Ria has both the operations she needed behind her, her cleft lip and cleft palate have been closed successfully. Ria now has the best prospects for a healthy, carefree life.
