Operation Smile South Africa is calling on families of children aged six months to 12 years born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate to come forward for screening and assessment for possible access to free, safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) in Johannesburg this May.

In a continued effort to reduce the backlog of cleft lip and palate surgeries in Gauteng, Operation Smile and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), with key support from Life Healthcare, will deliver an intensive weekend surgical programme providing life-changing surgeries for up to 40 children, while simultaneously transferring specialist skills and knowledge to surgical trainees.

The surgical weekend will take place from May 29 to 31.

“Cleft conditions can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak, hear and breathe, however, timely surgery can significantly improve health outcomes and open the door to a very different future,” says Sarah Scarth, executive director of Operation Smile South Africa, which has, over the past 20 years, partnered with government and health institutions across the country to provide thousands of free surgeries to children and young adults with cleft conditions.

“Families are encouraged to get in touch with us ahead of the screening day on May 29.”

As this programme is hosted at the children’s hospital, only children under the age of 12 will be screened.

However, Operation Smile encourages cleft patients and families of all ages to make contact so the team can provide support and remain connected for future opportunities.

Families wishing to come forward for screening and assessment, or seeking more information about the process, can contact Patient Coordinator Dakalo Maguga on 073 577 8786 or email infosa@operationsmile.org

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