Operation Smile South Africa, together with specialist volunteer medical teams, will carry out a major surgical intervention later this month to reduce the backlog of cleft-related surgeries in Gauteng.

From May 29 to 31, up to 40 children are expected to receive free, life-changing cleft lip and/or cleft palate operations at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital as part of an intensive surgical weekend programme.

The initiative forms part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to improve access to essential reconstructive surgery for children born with facial clefts, a condition that can affect feeding, speech development and overall quality of life if left untreated.

Ahead of the upcoming programme, organisers are calling on families of children aged six months to 12 years who were born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate to come forward for screening.

Children who qualify may be considered for free surgery during the May operation weekend.

The screening process aims to identify suitable candidates and ensure that each child receives the appropriate medical assessment before surgery is scheduled.

Operation Smile South Africa, a branch of the global medical charity Operation Smile, works with volunteer surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists who donate their time and expertise to provide reconstructive surgery in underserved communities.

The organisation says these surgical programmes not only change the physical appearance of affected children but also significantly improve their ability to eat, speak and integrate socially.

Families seeking more information or wishing to have their children assessed are encouraged to respond to the screening call ahead of the surgical weekend.

The May programme is expected to bring together medical professionals from across the country to coordinate efforts to address the growing need for cleft care services in Gauteng.

For more information, please contact 021 447 3608.