ISLAMABAD, September 27 INP): A specialised hospital for cleft lip and palate patients will be set up soon here in the Federal Capital.

It is an initiative of Islamabad Cleft Lip and Palate Association (ICLPA). The hospital will provide free reconstructive surgery services to the poor patients.

This was stated by the Association’s President M. Aftab at a news briefing about the proposed hospital. It will be for the general treatment of children along with post-care health facilities.

The organisation had been providing free surgical facilities to the poor families since 2004 with the support of philanthropists and affluent personalities.

Regular free camps with operations' facility are also arranged for the affected patients.

M. Aftab who is a former Director General Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said there are few challenges which required support mainly of dedicated volunteers for this noble cause.

ICLPA is a group of volunteers who devote their services to bring hope and happiness in the lives of deprived section of the people.

Nearly 10,000 children with deformities are born every year in Pakistan and alarmingly about 200,000 children with these deformities are waiting for treatment.

M. Aftah said, they could immediately start the construction work as and when the matter of acquiring a proper land is settled. For this, they need support of the Capital Development Authority.

The Association is working on the task for last many years. About the gravity of the disease, he further said as per an estimate, out of every 530 live births, one Pakistani child is born with a cleft lip or a left palate, or both who could be cured with timely proper care.

He hoped that well-to-do people will come forward to support the organisation to serve the cause of ailing humanity.

M. Aftab thanked a local businessman Muhammad Safdar Awan, chairman Toyota Islamabad Motors for his support in providing land for the hospital.

INP/javed