CLAPAM

About 15 years ago, two mothers, each with a cleft child and a plastic surgeon who was a lecterur at University Malaya Medical Center, formed the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia (CLAPAM). They were Ms. Deborah Roslan, Ms. Cecilia Choong and Dr. Kim Tan. They were the founding members of CLAPAM. CLAPAM was based on the model of Cleft Lip and Palate of Association of United Kingdom (CLAPA)

CLAPAM is a support group for parents with cleft children. Activities include hospital visits, feeding advice, moral support and counseling for parents. Initial members were parents and professionals involved in treating and managing cleft children. Rosti bottles and NUK teats were used then, and were imported from the UK. Locally, they manage to get Pigeon soft bottles with spoon attachment.

CLAPAM was initially home based before renting out an office lot, first in Damansara, and the at Jalan Kuchai Lama. Financially, it supported itself by membership fees and personal contributions from members. CLAPAM was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in Oct 1993. At that time, regular parents meeting were held in KDU College, Damansara with specialists coming in to give talks

About Cleft
Cleft is a congenital condition where the tissues of the upper lip and/or palate are not fully formed during the pregnancy. It occurs in about 600 - 700 live births. Fortunately, it is non-life threatening and can be corrected through a properly executed cleft management protocol.

About PPUM Combined Cleft Clinic
PPUM has an established CCC (Combined Cleft Clinic) which is convened twice a month. CCC brings together multi-discipline expertise needed to provide proper care to a cleft individual. Team members of PPUM CCC include Plastic Surgeons, Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons, Orthodontists, Paedodontists Speech Language Pathologists, Otorhinolaryngologist, Pediatricians and Parent Support Group (CLAPAM)

About CLAPAM
Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia (CLAPAM) is a non-profit volunteer group formed to support Malaysians born with cleft lip and/palate.  CLAPAM support includes counseling (feeding and care advise) of cleft babies through hospital/house visits, creating awareness and sponsors related medical/dental interventions.  CLAPAM is registered with the Registrar of Societies. Our website: www.clapam.org.my

CLAPAM`S OFFICE

Box #121, Lot 4.46A, 4th Floor
Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
clapam@streamyx.com
website: http://www.clapam.org.my/