‘Operation Smile’ gives hope to kids in UAE with facial deformities

Canadian Specialist Hospital (CSH), one of the leading private sector hospitals in the UAE, supported ‘Operation Smile’, an international children’s charity that provides corrective surgeries to children born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities. A study published in the US National Library of Medicine reported that facial deformities develop in one to three per 1000 live births in the Middle East. 

Canadian Specialist Hospital (CSH) recently collaborated with Operation Smile UAE to raise awareness about this condition related to facial deformities in the UAE. The hospital has also encouraged its doctors, dentists, nurses and technicians to volunteer and help the cause. As a result of that several medical staff from the hospital signed up to become volunteers with Operation Smile. The Virginia-based charity operates in various parts of the world, notably in Asian and Native American countries. 

Operation Smile reveals that in every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate and may suffer from torments, malnourishment and difficulty with speech. Cleft lip and cleft palate also affects one in approximately every 500-750 new born babies worldwide.

Dr. Haider Al Zubaidy, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Specialist Hospital, states, “Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common birth defects in the world. Growing up, people with facial deformities face a social stigma because their physical appearance deviates from the norm. We are very grateful to take part in this program which changes the lives of not just children, but also their families.”

 “Our goal is to help children whose families cannot afford surgery or do not have access to necessary medical care to treat their condition. Operation Smile helps children in need by recruiting medical professionals who can volunteer their time and expertise on medical missions all over the world,” says Brandon Mauro, Operation Smile’s Patient and Medical Volunteers Coordinator. 

According to Operation Smile, the exact cause of cleft lip and cleft palate is unknown. “However, scientists believe it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Maternal illness, drugs and malnutrition may also contribute to the development of cleft conditions,” adds Mauro. 

When asked whether they want to participate in another program of Operation Smile, Dr.Zubaidy says that “CSH is hoping to work with Operation Smile and other charity programs in the future. We in Canadian Specialist Hospital feel the need to give back to the community.”

Canadian Specialist Hospital provides a wide range of medical services and houses some of the most advanced surgical facilities in Dubai. Continuous development and investment in technology, medical expertise and support facilities have contributed to the hospital’s current stature as one of the preeminent medical institutions in the Middle East.