Operation Smile announces plans to increase access to care for one million patients: comprehensive treatment will include dental and orthodontic care.
Operation Smile has announced a ten year commitment to increase access to care for one million patients who need cleft care and other essential surgeries. Entering its 40th anniversary year, the organisation will scale with its investments in underserved remote areas around the world.
Operation Smile is the leading global non-profit specialising in expert cleft surgery and care. They will focus more intensely on transforming local health systems. The organisation’s new vision includes creating expanded opportunities. Opportunities for women in medicine, investing significantly in research, innovation, surgical education and youth empowerment. All of these are factors that impact cleft care.
The non-profit will move beyond cleft surgery. Operation Smile will provide comprehensive care that meets the full range of a child’s needs. From speech therapy, nutrition and dentistry to orthodontics and psychosocial support. This increases their likelihood of living a healthier and more fulfilling life, attending school and pursuing a brighter future.
A milestone year for Operation Smile
Mairead O’Callaghan, Operation Smile’s UK executive director says: ‘The year 2022 is a milestone for Operation Smile. It marks 40 years since our founders Dr Bill and Kathy Magee took part in their first cleft surgical mission to the Philippines.
‘To commemorate this achievement Operation Smile is launching into 10 years of ambitious growth, impact and transformation. Some of our lofty but achievable goals include bringing access to quality care to 1,000,000 patients living with cleft conditions and expanding into five new programme countries.
‘In the four decades since the Magees’ first visit to the Philippines, Operation Smile has gone on to achieve many great things. More than 300,000 patients have received free, safe surgery delivered to the highest standard. We are now active in over 40 countries and have trained thousands of healthcare workers in each of them.
‘Our vision of a future where no child suffers due to a lack of access to surgery will be achieved through continued focus on these areas.’
Over the next 10 years, Operation Smile will collaborate with local partners. This involves ministries of health, donors, corporations and academic institutions to bolster in-country health systems to reach its goal of increasing access to care.
Initial investments
Initial investments as part of the organisation’s next decade of commitments include:
- $8 million investment in Guatemala over five years. This will support five hospitals across the country to provide cleft surgery for 1,200 patients and comprehensive care for 3,400 patients
- $10 million investment for five years to support a network of hospitals and care providers across seven geographic areas in Mexico. This will provide care for 4,500 patients
- $9 million investment over five years to support patient care in Colombia. This includes aid in Riohacha Hospital, a public hospital located at the border with Venezuela. Here, indigenous communities and migrants receive care
- $6 million investment over five years to support the CHUK Hospital hub in Rwanda and outlying locations. This includes surgeon and clinical support, patient nutrition, dentists and more.
There are a number of ways UK dentists can help support Operation Smile. This includes fundraising and raising awareness in your practice or on social media.
Operation Smile carries out hundreds of medical missions to help people with cleft lip and cleft palate. Just £150 provides one child with cleft lip or cleft palate with a life-changing operation.
For more information, visit www.operationsmile.org.uk/fundraise.
