SG1
Task‑shifting in Cleft Teams
Most LMIC cleft teams are under‑resourced relative to the scope of Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC). Task‑shifting refers to the deliberate delegation of specific clinical roles to personnel not formally trained in a particular discipline. This practice regularly occurs as LMIC teams expand their CCC approach. This Solutions Group will examine what works, what requires caution, and how teams can embrace task‑shifting as a deliberate long‑term team strategy.
Afieharo Michael
Surgeon, Nigeria
Afieharo Michael is a Professor and Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital (UCH), Nigeria, where she serves as Cleft Team Lead. She is also the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the African Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal, Africa’s first cleft-focused journal.
Savitha V.H.
Speech Therapist, India
Savitha V.H. is a cleft-specialized speech-language pathologist with expertise in clinical practice, education, capacity building, and research. A passionate advocate for CCC, she has advanced cleft speech services, strengthened multidisciplinary care, and mentored professionals across several low- and middle-income countries. She is Adjunct Faculty at SRIHER in Chennai, India, and serves as Speech Services Lead and Advisor for Smile Train India.
SG2
Patient Coordination in CCC
Navigating a multiyear, multidisciplinary CCC journey is demanding for families, particularly in under‑resourced settings. Dedicated patient coordination can dramatically improve patient and family adherence to treatment plans, ease the burden of care, improve data collection, and enhance CCC team satisfaction. This under‑recognized role is, however, chronically underfunded and undervalued. This Solutions Group will examine models of effective patient coordination and recommend good practices for its growth.
Esther Mulungi
Pediatrician, Uganda
Esther Mulungi-Bibangambah is a pediatrician, child health advocate, and early-career researcher. She serves as Associate Consultant Pediatrician at CoRSU Hospital in Uganda, where she heads the Pediatrics and Nutrition departments. She is also a member of the Smile Train Africa Medical Advisory Committee (AMAC).
Neil Brierley
Surgeon, UK
Neil Brierley is a consultant Cleft and Plastic Surgeon at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in the UK. He has a passion for education both locally and internationally, and is a member of the International Steering Committee for the UK-based charity CLEFT: Bridging the Gap.
SG3
Engaging in LMIC Cleft Outcomes Research
Outcomes data is essential for improving CCC quality, attracting funding, and contributing to the global evidence base. In many LMIC settings, data collection is fragmented, inconsistent, or primarily done to fulfill funding obligations. This Solutions Group will focus on building recommendations for CCC minimum data sets, integrating them into routine care, and ensuring collected data can be used meaningfully at the local level.
Erli Sarilita
Researcher/ Dentist, Indonesia
Erli Sarilita is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, with research interests in craniofacial morphology and congenital anomalies. She currently serves as Director of Non-Degree Education at Universitas Padjadjaran.
Yvonne Wren
Researcher/ Speech Therapist, UK
Yvonne Wren is a Professor of Speech and Communication at the University of Bristol, UK. She is an internationally recognized leader in cleft research whose work has shaped the assessment of outcomes for children born with cleft lip and palate through international collaboration, clinical research, and outcome measurement.
SG4
Fomentando escuelas y comunidades inclusivas para las personas con fisuras
Nurturing Cleft-friendly Schools and Communities
(Grupo de trabajo en español / Spanish Language Group)
¿Cómo pueden los equipos de CCC, las familias y las comunidades colaborar con las escuelas para crear entornos en los que los niños que nacen con FLAP puedan participar, desarrollarse y sentirse parte de la comunidad?
La dimensión psicosocial de la atención de las fisuras va mucho más allá del tratamiento clínico. Las experiencias escolares —incluidas la violencia escolar, la exclusión social y el estigma relacionado con el habla y la audición— afectan significativamente los resultados y la calidad de vida. Este Grupo de Soluciones explorará cómo es una «escuela y comunidad amigable con las personas con FLAP» con el fin de desarrollar recomendaciones prácticas para los equipos de CCC, las ONG y las familias.
How can CCC teams, families, and communities work with schools to create environments where children born with clefts can participate, thrive, and belong?
The psychosocial dimension of cleft care extends far beyond clinical treatment. School experiences — including bullying, social exclusion, and speech/hearing‑related stigma — significantly affect outcomes and quality of life. This Solutions Group will explore what a “cleft‑friendly school and community” looks like in order to develop actionable recommendations for CCC teams, NGOs, and families.
Adriana Zavalaga
Nutricionista, Perú /
Nutritionist, Peru
Adriana Zavalaga es nutricionista y cuenta con una maestría en Epidemiología Clínica. Tiene más de 15 años de experiencia en atención integral FLAP (CCC) y capacita a profesionales de la salud y a las familias en nutrición materno-infantil. Como asesora de nutrición para Sudamérica de Smile Train, trabaja en estrecha colaboración con equipos multidisciplinarios de FLAP para fortalecer los servicios de nutrición mediante iniciativas de educación, investigación y desarrollo de capacidades.
Adriana Zavalaga is a nutritionist with a master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology. She has over 15 years of experience working in CCC, and trains clinicians and families on maternal and child nutrition. As the South American Nutrition Advisor for Smile Train, she works closely with multidisciplinary cleft care teams to strengthen nutrition services through education, research, and capacity-building initiatives.
Felipe Inostroza
Fonoaudiólogo, Chile /
Speech Therapist, Chile
Felipe Inostroza Allende es fonoaudiólogo especializado en la función motora orofacial y profesor asistente de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile. Cuenta con una maestría en Fisiología y es candidato a doctor en ciencias en la Universidad de São Paulo, Brasil. Con más de 10 años de experiencia, ha liderado iniciativas académicas y de investigación en la Fundación Gantz, centros especializados en fisuras y universidades.
Felipe Inostroza Allende is a speech-language pathologist specializing in orofacial motor function and an Assistant Professor at the University of Chile School of Medicine. He holds a master's degree in Physiology and is a Ph.D. candidate in Science at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. With more than 10 years of experience, he has led academic and research initiatives at the Gantz Foundation, specialized CLP centers, and universities.