It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing away of Lali, the “Girl with two faces”. Lali died at the beginning of the month in her home village of Saini Sunpura in northern India. The exact cause of death has not yet been ascertained.
Prof. Sailer, who had agreed to operate on Lali providing the results of a medical risk assessment were favourable, reacted with shock: “I have just received the news from India and am devastated.”
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the girl's parents and hope that they acquire the strength to come to terms with their tragic loss.
The past year has yielded some exceptionally positive results for Cleft-Children International (CCI). In September 2007, for example, we were able to open the 5th ever cleft centre, in Kolkata. The number of operations and additional treatments performed in 2007 was higher than in any previous year. Knowledge transfer has intensified, numerous doctors have been provided with training and further training, and additional assistants' jobs have been created. In recognition of the foundation's humanitarian work, Ms Erica Schwob and Prof. Sailer were both awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Chennai (India).
All these things are testament to the sustainability of the foundation's work and the competence displayed by its staff, and it is through your donations that such a high quality of work is possible. You can download the extensive 2007 annual report (in German) in PDF format:
04/10/2008: The Little Girl with Two Faces – finally help for little Lali!
Professor Sailer and his foundation Cleft-Children International CCI want to help the little girl with two faces from India. Professor Sailer is possibly the only hope for little Lali. “Two things are important for us. First of all, we are the only ones in the world with the necessary understanding of the ethic-cultural circumstances, and, second, the professional expertise to explain to her parents what opportunities medical treatment can provide; even in such a complicated case, there are often many good approaches for treatment,” says Professor Sailer.
A recognised international authority, Professor Sailer is one of only a handful of specialists in the world who already has medical experience in such a complex case. The expert for complicated face and head operations examined the grown Siamese twin sisters, Ladan and Laleh Bijani from Singapore, in a well-known case only a few years ago – and advised against an operation. The operation was performed despite his reservations, and the sisters did not survive. Professor Sailer and his team now want to prevent a similar terrible tragedy from happening.
Only four weeks after her birth, little Lali from the village Saini Sunpura in northern India had sadly become famous: the child has two noses, two sets of lips and two sets of eyes. Only the ears are not double – she has two earlobes just like anyone else. “We want to offer our help so that the little girl can lead a normal life of quality like anyone else,” emphasises Professor Sailer. The foundation Cleft-Children International(CC) has already performed more than 20,000 successful pro bono operations of a similar nature. “The statement that nothing can be done medically to help this poor child may well be wrong,” emphasises Professor Sailer.
“Above all, little Lali deserves optimal support, including the highest ethical standards, so that she can lead a good life after receiving the best possible treatment.” Professor Sailer will personally work with his team to conduct the necessary examinations and perform the complicated operation himself if it proves to be possible without any risks. “The most important step at this time is a comprehensive medical analysis,” he declares. “The gods had good reasons for putting the diagnosis before any treatment!”
Cleft-Children International is prepared to act immediately. “Our Indian colleague, Prof. Dr. Gosla Reddy from our care centre, has already become involved in speaking with the parents and explaining to them what medical treatment is possible. Our support for the family is of course free of charge!” Professor Sailer and his foundation focus exclusively on the well-being of the children and do not pursue any financial interests whatsoever in offering their aid. “The ethical questions have absolute priority for us – above all, we are concerned here with the well-being of this little girl and her parents,” emphasises Professor Sailer. “Once we have been able to establish a solid diagnosis which is convincing, the chances for successful help based on the latest medical knowledge will certainly be good!”
Professor Sailer wants to ensure in particular that the little girl does not become a pawn in the hands of greedy exploiters. “Lali has already become the subject of regional interest and of tremendous attention in the global press, a situation which would be difficult for any child in the world to deal with, much less one like Lali who suffers from significant physical handicaps!”
“That is another reason why we are determined to act: so that the lives of little Lali and her entire family can soon settle down,” notes Professor Sailer. Professor Sailer’s Cleft Foundation has been taking care of children born with an anomaly or serious deformities for many years. These problems are corrected by surgery performed by Professor Sailer, who donates his time and makes special trips to work in India.
