KLEF2024 is the outcome of a proposal made to Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) in September 2023. It is a milestone in the history of orofacial clefts in Malaysia as it is the inaugural conference bringing together healthcare providers, the industry and peer support group. It is indeed timely such a gathering be convened in Malaysia. The theme “Unity in Cleft Care” was carefully chosen to advocate the importance of a cohesive multidisciplinary approach in cleft care.
With the support of KKM, CLAPAM (Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia), MAOMS (Malaysian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) and MSPRS (Malaysian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) have joined forces as Co-Organizers and Co-Chairs of KLEF2024. This in itself is another first, where the concept of multidisciplinary approach is put into practice. You can thus expect a broad range of medical, dental and allied health science participants, from specialists to young doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners at this upcoming conference. This is a unique gathering, gelling together “the Malaysian Cleft Fraternity”.
We are honoured YB Minister of Health, YB Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly bin Ahmad has consented to officiate the opening ceremony of this auspicious event.
If you are involved in cleft care, either as healthcare provider, service provider or product provider . . . this conference is designed for you. We invite you to join us at KLEF2024, and be part of a historical milestone in the journey of clefts in Malaysia.
We look forward to seeing and welcoming you.Adr
KLEF2024 BACKGROUND
KLEF2024 Background
Orofacial cleft (or “cleft” in its general form) is a global birth condition impacting 1 in 700 live births. Babies with clefts will continue to be born as there are currently neither definitive causal factor nor preventive measures. However, cleft has one distinct uniqueness in that babies born with a cleft condition can be returned to normalcy through a well-established cleft protocol.
It is estimated that annually, 800 - 1000 babies are born with a cleft condition in Malaysia. We are fortunate such cleft babies are being managed by specialized disciplines within medical, dental, and allied health science at various hospitals throughout the country.
To date, Malaysia however, has not convened a multidisciplinary conference to bring together the healthcare providers, the industry and peer support organisation to further enhance services extended to cleft borns. Convening one will help raise awareness, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and in doing so, reduce the burden of care on cleft borns, their families and healthcare providers.
It is on the above premise that KLEF2024 was conceived.