Operation Smile’s Second Medical Mission in Ghana

Project location: GHANA, Accra
Project start date: July 2012 - Project end date: August 2012
Project number: 2012-010
Beneficiary: FONDAZIONE OPERATION SMILE ITALIA ONLUS

 

Operation Smile's main objective is to carry out a second medical mission in Accra, Ghana, in July 2012. Ghana, with a 51% infant mortality out of the 1000 born babies, is estimated to have 15 doctors and 93 nurses for each 100,000 inhabitants.

The organization wishes to perform reconstructive surgeries on those children suffering from cleft and other facial deformities who were not operated during the first medical mission in December 2011, and who are still waiting for treatment and care.

In collaboration with the local health Ghana authorities, Operation Smile plans to screen around 200 patients, provide them with free medical examinations, and perform about 120-150 safe surgeries with the help of a team of volunteers. The volunteer's team will include plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, nurses, speech pathologists and other credentialed health professionals.
In addition, the organization plans to provide training courses to local staff.

This project, which received a gant from the Nando Peretti Foundation, aims to provide around 120-150 free surgical operations to new patients and those who are waiting since last mission, and to continue giving training to local Ghana staff as follow up to the 3 previous courses given in 2011: "European Pediatric Life Support" (EPLS) and "Basic Life Support" (BLS).

Operation Smile is an international humanitarian organization that, since 1982, provides free reconstructive surgery to children born with facial deformities; primarily cleft lips and cleft palates. Through the help of dedicated medical volunteers, Operation Smile has provided more than 2 million patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

As one of the most prominent children's charities in the world and with a presence in over 60 countries, we are able to heal children's smiles and bring hope for a better future. The direct health care services we provide present an opportunity for permanent change and integration into society. Once changed by reconstructive surgery, dignity is restored and patients begin life as a whole human being.

In addition, Operation Smile conducts youth programs, medical fellowships, workshops and specialty pediatric training. Through all these circles of influence and expertise Operation Smile unites communities and countries through the face of a child.

 


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