The Smile Foundation and Operation Smile united to help get 67 children off the waiting list, finally able to get long-awaited surgery.
Johannesburg, South Africa (24 July 2024) – South Africa’s two leading organisations helping children with clefts and other complex facial conditions united to make the greatest impact for Mandela Day. Operation Smile and The Smile Foundation set up a Madiba Smile Relay from the 22nd to the 28th of July, 2024, at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is the second dedicated paediatric hospital in South Africa. It is a state-of-the-art, 220-bed hospital that provides a child and family-centred environment.
This is the setting for 67 surgeries by two life-changing medical teams in celebration of Mandela Month. This event aims to provide corrective surgery for over 67 children, honouring Madiba’s legendary 67-year struggle for social justice.
Without surgery, children with clefts and other complex facial conditions are confronted with serious and debilitating long-term health problems and will likely suffer from emotional bullying and isolation.
“Every Mandela Day, we as South Africans get to celebrate a giant among men and the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world by keeping his legacy alive. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our longstanding and committed donor, Adcock Ingram, and the dedicated team of surgeons and medical staff from Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Together, we help sprinkle a bit of magic into the lives of these children, giving them a future full of joy,” concludes Tarri Parfitt, CEO of Smile Foundation.
Smile Foundation is a South African non-profit organisation founded in 2000, with a mission to transform the lives of children requiring surgery through expert corrective surgical and psychological care.
Operation Smile will join the relay, taking over the surgical programme from Friday, 26 to Sunday, 28 July, performing the remaining 37 surgeries.
“Operation Smile is proud to partner with Smile Foundation and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital to transform so many young lives and simultaneously facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills, which is crucial for strengthening our healthcare system and ensuring long-term quality care for all,” said Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa.
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South Africa, We Have SO Much Good News to Share With You!Whilst South Africa’s public healthcare system is designed to treat patients with cleft conditions, in many areas, Operation Smile shares that it is chronically under-resourced, resulting in long waiting periods for patients. The team is made up of 67 volunteers, including plastic and maxilla facial surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists and medical records personnel.
Operation Smile is a global non-profit organisation, active in South Africa since 2006, bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and healthcare, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care.
The children who receive surgery during the Madiba Smile Relay mostly live in Gauteng, with some travelling from as far as the North West and Northern Cape. Each young patient, accompanied by their parent or guardian, will receive compassionate care free of charge, all made possible by the generosity of Operation Smile and Smile Foundation’s partners and donors.
In addition to performing the 67-plus surgeries, the teams from both organisations will also support the transfer of knowledge and skills from highly experienced Professors of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Smile Foundation and Operation Smile hosted a Cleft Surgery Education Day at NMCH today, Wednesday, 24 July, for qualified surgeons and surgical registrars. Lecturers included some of South Africa’s foremost Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillofacial professors and doctors, including Professor Anil Madaree (UKZN), Professor Saleigh Adams (UCT) and Professor Tim Christofides (WITS). The trainee cleft surgeons will also have an opportunity to participate in clinical rotations throughout the week at NMCH.
The combining of resources between these two incredible organisations will change so many lives. This Mandela Month Relay will continue to change lives long after theatre lights have been switched off. And for that, South Africa is grateful!
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