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Children with a cleft lip may have speech and hearing difficulties, as well as dental problems such as cavities and missing, deformed, or misplaced teeth
The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has performed as many as 15 life-changing procedures in partnership with Operation Smile Emirates.
A 6-month-old cleft lip and palate patient’s face and life were transformed through a two-day Operation Smile surgery program.
Dr. Jorge A. Guzman, CEO of Mubadala Health partner Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, noted that the initiative is part of its corporate social responsibility to support the community and work with charities such as Operation Smile UAE.
“We have the infrastructure, volunteers and medical teams in place to make a big difference. We believe we have a responsibility to deliver these life-changing surgeries to as many Emirati children and young people as possible.”
The hospital’s clinical team, including anesthesiologists, doctors, nurses and support staff, volunteered their time and resources so that these patients could benefit from the world-class surgical procedures organized by the Emirates Operation Smile medical team.
Dr. Jorge A. Guzman
Dr Mahdi Shkoukani, Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Cleveland Clinic’s Specialty Institute of Surgery in Abu Dhabi, said: “Beyond the social stigma, there are many negative aspects to this condition. Children with cleft lips are more prone to speech and hearing difficulties, as well as tooth decay and dental problems such as missing, deformed or misaligned teeth. As a doctor and fellow human being, I am honored to have the opportunity to help these young faces have a better future.”
Dr Mahdi Shkoukani
Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director, Operation Smile UAE, said: “A child’s life can be completely changed through cleft lip surgery, which can take less than an hour. We count on the generous support of our partners, such as the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, to enable us to help As many children and young people as possible receive appropriate and safe care for facial abnormalities. We are very fortunate to have access to excellent medical volunteers, excellent medical resources and well-equipped facilities throughout the UAE thanks to the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Waiting for the hospital.”
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 to provide free and safe treatment to children and young people around the world born with cleft lips and palates. Operation Smile UAE Chapter was established in January 2011 by Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif Al Nahyan. While it started as a fundraising, advocacy and medical volunteer recruiting effort, it quickly grew with the assistance of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, including offering procedures to patients within the UAE in 2017.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
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