The Smile Foundation launched its first-ever Comprehensive Cleft Care Workshop to empower healthcare providers with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the unique challenges of cleft care in under-resourced communities.
Cape Town, South Africa (23 October 2024) – Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects, affecting thousands of children worldwide.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to specialised care is limited, these conditions can have a profound and negative impact on a child’s life.
To address this pressing issue, the Global Smile Foundation has today launched its inaugural Comprehensive Cleft Care Workshop (CCCW) in South Africa.
The groundbreaking event, which will conclude tomorrow, will offer unparalleled access to world-class learning and training, specifically tailored to overcome the unique challenges of cleft care in low-resource environments.
The first South African CCCW will include live surgery observations at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, along with simulation labs where participants can practice cleft lip and palate surgery techniques.
The workshop is specifically designed for healthcare providers at various stages in their careers, offering both beginner and intermediate training sessions.
Empowering South African Healthcare Providers
By focusing on regionally relevant solutions, the workshop aims to empower South African healthcare professionals to improve outcomes in their own communities.
As Dr Saleigh Adams, David Davies Chair of Plastic Surgery at the University of Cape Town, emphasized:
“By focusing on training and development in the specific context of where we live, we can ensure that healthcare providers in South Africa are empowered to improve cleft care in their own communities.”
The event also aims to foster collaboration among African healthcare providers and establish a network for ongoing professional development.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa
The workshop will also empower cleft care providers in Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to enhance their skills, access cutting-edge knowledge, and ultimately create sustainable healthcare systems that meet the unique needs of the region.
Dr Usama Hamdan, President and co-founder of Global Smile Foundation, stated:
“We know that humanitarian cleft care programs are not enough to reach most of the 250,000 patients who are born every year with cleft lip/palate, the vast majority in low to middle-income countries.
“Our 37-year experience has shown us that empowering healthcare professionals with advanced training and skills is the key to developing sustainable cleft care.”
By enhancing the skills of cleft care providers, the workshop will enable them to provide better care to patients in dire need, ensuring more and more tiny tots get the smiles that they deserve.
Sources: The Smile Foundation
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