Operation Smile UAE starts its medical mission

Abu Dhabi: Operation Smile UAE, in cooperation with Healthpoint and the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi, will start a new medical mission in the UAE providing free surgeries to patients with cleft conditions over a course of three days at Healthpoint, Abu Dhabi.

In January 2011, Operation Smile UAE was established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif Al Nahyan, wife of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The foundation is a branch of Operation Smile, an international charity established in 1982, which provides free, safe surgery for children and young adults born with cleft lip and cleft palate.

To determine which patients are eligible for surgery, Operation Smile UAE held a screening session at Healthpoint where 24 patients were examined by a team of medical volunteers.

12 patients will receive life-changing surgeries for their cleft conditions. The patients who will receive surgery range in age from four and a half months to 10 years of age.

A team of 36 medical volunteers, including surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and paediatricians will be donating their time during the mission. Operation Smile UAE medical volunteers will be working alongside volunteers from Healthpoint.

The medical team’s expertise will ensure all patients receive the highest quality care before, during and after their surgeries.

Also, 4 student volunteers from the Student Programmes initiative will participate in this mission and will assist with paperwork and family care.

WAM Operation Smile UAE starts Operation Smile UAE starts

About Operation Smile UAE

Operation Smile was founded in 1982 when Dr. William (Bill) P. Magee, Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen (Kathy), a nurse and clinical social worker, travelled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates.