In April 2019, Operation Smile Malawi gathered its team of surgeons to conduct free screening and life-saving reconstructive surgeries on children and adults that are born with cleft, a lip or dental deformities. The medical mission in April was at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, and Biznews inquired more information Operation Smile Malawi’s Programs Manager, Ibrahim Nthalika.
From 4th – 13th April 2019, Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe saw 131 patients had surgeries. Prior to the mission, Operation Smile Malawi published a partnership request, that decried the stigma towards deformed kids, who are killed, rejected, teased and isolated. Offering free help, Operation Smile Malawi undertook surgeries for affected children and adults, with a single surgery lasting for not more than 45 minutes.
The programs manager said that there was a positive response from the patients at Kamuzu Central Hospital, as about 500 people showed up for the operations; 131 patients with a guardian each, while 127 did not qualify for surgery. “The rest were turned away for various reasons; malnutrition, malaria, anemia or too young for surgery” said Nthalika. Operational Smile Malawi will have the next medical mission will be at Zomba Central Hospital from 20th June to 2nd July 2019, as 100 patients are being targeted for surgeries.