Operation Smile South Africa

We’re enormously proud to have our work featured in this week’s edition of Financial Mail ZA, South Africa’s must-read for South African business leaders. Saleigh Adams Jason Sive Larry Auret Nokuzola Cossie Universal Healthcare IMT Inc. Integrated Mining Technologies Radisson Blu Smile Club SA DHL Africa Aramex South Africa Cipla South Africa Cipla Foundation Killarney Mall Ardagh Group MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company Nature Fresh Health Products AbbVie Tata Group Europcar https://lnkd.in/dKAseJad

Earlier this year, Operation Smile hosted a transformative Women in Medicine (WIM) program in Cairo, Egypt, from June 27 to July 4. Over 65 dedicated female volunteers from across the region and beyond united, bringing their expertise in surgery, anesthesia, pediatrics, dentistry, nursing, speech therapy, psychosocial care, biomedical technology, medical photography, and statistics. Their collaborative efforts led to life-changing surgeries and comprehensive care for over 80 children born with cleft conditions, demonstrating the profound impact of their teamwork. They ensured not only successful surgical outcomes but also a holistic approach to care, including essential counseling on wound management and nutrition for patients and families.   At Operation Smile, we are committed to advancing gender equity in healthcare through our Women in Medicine initiative. By empowering women to lead and excel in medical fields, we strengthen the global health workforce, enhance healthcare capacity, and improve our ability to provide high-quality surgical and comprehensive care. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and staff who made this program possible. Their dedication helps us advance healthcare and foster a more equitable and healthy future for our patients and their communities.

Operation Smile South Africa recent surgical programme at Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital transformed dozens of young lives. It also facilitated the exchange of knowledge and provided a platform for training, which is crucial for capacity building to help strengthen our health system. Read more in this latest article on Health-e News https://lnkd.in/dV9qjmeP

Did you know that the first week of August is #WorldBreastfeedingWeek? At Operation Smile, we believe in the transformative power of breastfeeding as the ideal source of nutrition for infants. To honor this important week, we are highlighting the critical role breastfeeding plays in promoting optimal growth, brain development, and long-term health for both mother and child. Globally, an estimated 118,000 malnourished infants and children under five with cleft conditions require medical attention. At Operation Smile, we ensure these children receive the necessary nutrition for safe and effective surgical care through our comprehensive nutrition programs. We provide crucial resources, counseling, and support by partnering with local NGOs, hospitals, and community organizations to meet our patient's needs. This includes robust breastfeeding support and addressing the unique challenges of infants with cleft conditions through education on effective techniques, milk expression, and alternative feeding methods when direct breastfeeding isn’t possible. To learn more about this topic, we invite you to watch our “Basic Introductions: Breastfeeding an Infant” webinar. This session will offer valuable insights into the benefits of breastfeeding, address common challenges, and provide practical advice for supporting mothers and infants. Watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/es3ETi3M #OperationSmile #WBW24 #NationalBreastfeedingMonth #365daysofcare

Reflecting on the surgical program during July at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg, Operation Smile provided life-changing surgery for 40 children affected by cleft lip and cleft palate. The weekend surgical program was part of the first Madiba Smile Relay, a collaboration between Operation Smile, Smile Foundation SA and Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital, which aimed to provide world-class surgery free of charge for 67 children, in honour of Madiba’s 67-year struggle for social justice. Most of the tiny patients came from Gauteng, although some travelled from as far away as the North West and Northern Cape. All of them, along with their parents or guardians, received compassionate care and support, free of charge, thanks to the amazing generosity of our partners and donors. Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton Aramex South Africa Active Aligners Probe IMT MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company The Zone Rosebank AbbVie Tata Group Cipla South Africa Cipla Foundation Universal Health Killarney Mall DHL Africa Ardagh Group Nature Fresh Health Products Europcar Kudala Wealth Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital https://lnkd.in/duWPjmw2

Operation Smile South Africa Surgical program at Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital this weekend. Long hours from the team who made the magic happen. Thanks to all sponsors for the incredible support. Radisson Blu Universal Health Care Aramex South Africa Cipla DHL MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company Woolworths Tata Group

 Join us on August 12 at 2:00 PM UTC for an enlightening Operation Smile Academy live #webinar featuring our Chief Health Policy and Advocacy Officer, Dr. Ruben Ayala. In this session, titled "Global Surgery Unveiled: Its Crucial Role and Far-Reaching Effects," Dr. Ayala will share his extensive experience and provide valuable insights on the significant contributions of #globalsurgery within #globalhealth. Discover how global surgery addresses #healthcare disparities, enhances surgical care worldwide, and improves patient outcomes and community well-being!    Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eZBvNUVX       Sign up for an Operation Smile Academy account to receive a certificate of attendance: https://lnkd.in/egH3ZCDh   

We’re excited to share that our Program Strategy Writer, Katherine Zeveleva, has written an inspiring blog post titled "Beyond Surgery: Inspiring Moments with Operation Smile in Peru." This piece captures the essence and impact of our mission during a recent surgical program in Lima, highlighting how we address the needs of our patients and create lasting change in the communities we serve.   In her article, Katherine reflects on the significant challenges faced by families traveling from remote regions to access the care they need. Many of our patients around the world endure long, difficult journeys to obtain essential medical services. At Operation Smile, we are committed to bridging these gaps and increasing access to care through the dedicated efforts of our staff and volunteers.   The article also emphasizes that our commitment goes beyond just providing care. It highlights our focus on advancing #healthcare through #education. By investing in the #training and #mentorship of local healthcare workers, we not only enhance their ability to deliver high-quality care but also ensure a sustainable, long-lasting impact on #healthsystems. This approach helps us reach more patients and brings care closer to communities.   Read her full article to explore these inspiring moments and see how Operation Smile is transforming lives and strengthening healthcare systems: https://lnkd.in/esxqksKt  #OperationSmile #HealthforAll

Last week, Operation Smile hosted its 32nd annual International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. From July 22 to 28, over 350 participants from 28 countries came together for this transformative event, supported by our title sponsor, Align Technology.   Under the theme "The Power Within," the conference aimed to inspire attendees to harness their potential and drive meaningful change in their communities. Throughout the week, participants enhanced their #leadership and #advocacy skills through enriching talks, creative activities, and collaborative workshops. They delved into key topics like medical education and #globalhealth, engaged in skill-building sessions, and listened to personal stories from teens born with cleft conditions. These experiences deepened their understanding of our mission and equipped them with the tools to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients and their communities in their home countries.   We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this conference, including our dedicated student volunteers, whose involvement underscores the vital role young leaders play in fostering positive change. Special thanks to Maggie Doyne of BlinkNow, @Robert I., Monica Bachue, @Angela Li, Stuart Hockridge, and all the representatives from Align Technology, Johnson & Johnson, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for their invaluable contributions.   #OperationSmile #ISLC2024 #YouthEmpowerment"

Operation Smile South Africa partners with the University of Pretoria to host Cleft Lip and Palate Dental Education Day. In line with our goal to increase the number of internationally credentialled dentists, Operation Smile SA partnered with the University of Pretoria ’s (UP) Department of Prosthodontics in Oral and Dental Health Sciences, to host a one-day Cleft Lip and Palate Education Day on Monday 29 July. Twenty five participants attended, including 9 Operation Smile dental volunteers (existing and prospective). Presenters included Department Professors, as well as Operation Smile volunteer educators, Dr Marius van der Walt (dental) and Erika Bostock (speech).