The cleft lip and palate remain among the most common congenital anomalies worldwide. In India, it is estimated that approximately one in every 700 live births is affected, translating to tens of thousands of new cases each year, said Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Inaugurating the Indocleftcon-2026, the 24th annual conference of Indian Society of Cleft Lip, Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies (ISCLCPA) at AIISH here, Mr. Rao said cleft lip and palate conditions, while correctable, require timely intervention and sustained care. Without appropriate management, they can significantly impact feeding, speech, hearing, dental development, facial growth, and psychosocial well-being.

“An important development in recent years has been the recognition of cleft lip and palate, particularly when associated with communication challenges, within the framework of disability rights,” the Minister said.