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Surgeon's 100th Indian operation Surgeon's 100th Indian operation
(about 2 hours later)
A surgeon from Swansea who specialises in cleft lip and palate surgery has retuned from India where he has operated on his 100th patient. A surgeon from Swansea who specialises in cleft lip and palate surgery has returned from India where he has operated on his 100th patient.
David Drake has been there six times to work for a charity in some of the poorest parts of the country.David Drake has been there six times to work for a charity in some of the poorest parts of the country.
The Morriston Hospital consultant said incidents of cleft lip and palate were higher in India than Wales.The Morriston Hospital consultant said incidents of cleft lip and palate were higher in India than Wales.
He said healthcare there was basically private and many people in rural areas could not afford to pay for operations.He said healthcare there was basically private and many people in rural areas could not afford to pay for operations.
Mr Drake, a consultant, said working in India had improved his skills as a maxillofacial surgeon.Mr Drake, a consultant, said working in India had improved his skills as a maxillofacial surgeon.
Each year he travels to India with his colleagues Chris Penfold from north Wales who works at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. Each year he travels to India with his colleague Chris Penfold from north Wales, who works at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.
The trips are organised by the UK-based charity the Northern Cleft Foundation.The trips are organised by the UK-based charity the Northern Cleft Foundation.
Mr Drake (second from right) has visited India six timesMr Drake (second from right) has visited India six times
The surgeons undertake marathon operating sessions - between 12 and 14 hours at a time - and help train local doctors.The surgeons undertake marathon operating sessions - between 12 and 14 hours at a time - and help train local doctors.
"In India the healthcare system is basically private, and as a lot of people come from rural, agricultural backgrounds, their families can't afford the cost of the operations," he said."In India the healthcare system is basically private, and as a lot of people come from rural, agricultural backgrounds, their families can't afford the cost of the operations," he said.
"There are around 35,000 babies born with a cleft lip and palate every year in India compared with just over 1,000 in the UK."There are around 35,000 babies born with a cleft lip and palate every year in India compared with just over 1,000 in the UK.
"Having treatment transforms peoples lives."Having treatment transforms peoples lives.
"Parents in India are the same as parents the world over and only want the best for their children."Parents in India are the same as parents the world over and only want the best for their children.
"Initially they are often quite shocked when they see their child following an operation."Initially they are often quite shocked when they see their child following an operation.
"But that is followed by a huge sense of relief because they realise the massive impact on their child's future that the surgery will make.""But that is followed by a huge sense of relief because they realise the massive impact on their child's future that the surgery will make."
Mr Drake said often his older patients in India said they had not been able to work or form relationships because of their condition.Mr Drake said often his older patients in India said they had not been able to work or form relationships because of their condition.
"I carry out five or six operations a day out there, compared to my annual caseload at Morriston of around 40," he added."I carry out five or six operations a day out there, compared to my annual caseload at Morriston of around 40," he added.
"All of this builds my skills as a surgeon and that is beneficial to my UK patients.""All of this builds my skills as a surgeon and that is beneficial to my UK patients."