Operation Smile is changing lives one cleft lip and palate surgery at a time
Operation Smile provided life-changing surgeries for 40 children.
To restore smiles and reduce the backlog of cleft lip and palate surgeries in Gauteng, Operation Smile and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital held an intensive weekend surgical programme from May 16 to 18.
The programme provided life-changing surgeries for an estimated 40 children, while simultaneously equipping surgical trainees with specialist skills.
A specialist team of 52 Operation Smile medical volunteers, including cleft surgeons, anesthesiologists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists, medical records and patient imaging technicians, travelled from across South Africa to Johannesburg to collaborate with the specialist paediatric clinical team at the world-class hospital.
Although research into the causes of cleft lip and palate is not conclusive, genetics and family history, pre-existing medical conditions, poor nutrition and exposure to harmful substances may affect the healthy development of an unborn baby.
Depending on the cleft condition, the child with a cleft typically requires multiple surgeries throughout their childhood, as well as speech therapy and dental treatment. Psychosocial support is also crucial to support the child and family throughout their journey to seek complete care.
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Dineo Itumeleng, a mother to a cleft lip and palate patient, Lewapi, said she couldn’t wait for her son to be operated on and assisted by Operation Smile.
“My son and I are from Potchefstroom, North West. I’d be happy for my 11-month-old son to get surgery because he currently does not go to nursery school due to his condition, but other than that, he is a healthy baby who feeds on milk with no problems.”
The hospital’s CEO Dr Nkuli Boikhutso said, “What’s wonderful about the programme is that they also do follow-ups; we are not left alone after the surgeries because they return after six months. Doctors who are within the Gauteng region come back to review the patients because the doctors work nearby, which makes it easier for the collaboration to continue.”
Operation Smile beneficiary Tshepo Manetja expressed his gratitude for the surgical programme.
“In 2018, I saw an advert about their work and programme on TV. It was also at a time when I was researching how I could get help because I did not like how I looked due to having a cleft lip and palate.”
Manetja added that since his first surgery with Operation Smile, his life had changed for the better and he was more confident. He also vowed to be an advocate of the programme because he didn’t want to see anyone go through what he had gone through.
Executive director of Operation Smile South Africa Sarah Scarth noted that the non-profit medical service organisation’s priority was to bridge the gap in access to essential surgeries and healthcare, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care.
“We also provide specialist training for local health professionals, building high-quality local capability and ensuring what we do lasts, which over the past 19 years has partnered with government and health institutions across the country to provide hundreds of free surgeries to children and young adults with cleft conditions.”
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