First Labiopalatinal Congress in Bolivia with an illustrious lineup of experts

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First Labiopalatinal Congress in Bolivia

From July 31 to August 2, 2019, the 1st International Cleft Lip and Palate Congress took place in Bolivia, initiated and organized in La Paz by our surgeon Dr. Adolfo Mamani with our partner organization Jiwaqui Bolivia.

With a line-up of renowned specialists, the congress brings together internationally recognized experts from the disciplines of surgery, orthodontics, speech therapy and psychology, which are all crucial to the treatment of cleft. DCKH board member Prof. Dr. med. Frank Feyerherd and our Peruvian partner Dr. Alberto Bardales also attended. The goal of the event was to advance the interdisciplinary treatment structure for cleft lip and palate in the region.

We are proud of our still young partner organization to take such a momentous step to advance comprehensive treatment of cleft children in the region.

Attendees:

• Prof. Dr. med. Frank Feyerherd: Anesthesiologist – Germany
• Dr. Alberto Bardales: Plastic surgeon – Peru
• Dr. Carlos Giugliano: Plastic Surgeon – Chile
• Dr. Percy Rosell: Plastic Surgeon – Peru
• Dr. Antonio Ysunza: Neurophysiologist – USA
• Dra. María Pamplona: speech therapist -Mexico
• License Margot Luque speech therapist – Peru
• License Mirta Palomares speech therapist – Chile
• License Mitsee Montesinos psychologist- Peru
• Dr. Omar Cotrina orthodontist – Peru
• Dr. José Avalos: Orthodontist – Mexico

Organizers:

• Bolivian Society for Pediatric Surgery
• Bolivian association of cleft lip and palate
• Jiwaqui Bolivia
• Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe e.V.

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DCKH

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The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, who died in 1324 BC, is a historical figure known to many for the sensational artwork found in his tomb, including a spectacular death mask. What is less known is that the young deceased, like many people living today, was born and lived with a cleft palate.

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Cleft children from all over the world

Cristóbal, a child with cleft lip and palate from Bolivia

In June 2020, Cristóbal is born with a cleft lip and palate in El Alto, Bolivia. His mother takes care of Cristobal and his two siblings and the household. His father's meager salary as a bricklayer is just enough to survive. At the clinic where Cristóbal was born, his parents received no information about his cleft lip and palate or treatment options, and the couple's family did not support them either. But Cristóbal's story has a happy ending.

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Video: Impressions from Bolivia

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Video: Impressions from Pakistan

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