Gauteng surgical program Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

From 24-28 July at the 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 programme was part of the first Madiba Smile Relay, a collaboration between Operation Smile, Smile Foundation 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.

The programme kicked off on Wednesday 24 July, with the first Cleft Surgery Education Day 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), Professor Tim Christofides (WITS), Professor Risimati Rikhotso (WITS), Professor Emad Ghabrial (UP) and Dr Bruce Lelala.