Operation Smile in Madagascar

Patients in Madagascar recently had life-changing surgery and comprehensive care at a surgical programme in Antsirabe. 86 medical volunteers from 13 countries came together to change lives, at the Centre Hospitalier de Référence Régionale (CHRR), the biggest referral hospital in the region. The CHRR has been recently renovated by #OperationSmile, in partnership with the UBS Optimus Foundation. The renovation was part of a Global Essential Surgery project which aims to address the root causes of why people struggle to access surgery. Medical volunteers used three of the CHRR's five recently renovated operating rooms. One of the surgical tables was dedicated to training, where Prof. Romain Raherison, a leading local #cleft surgeon, mentored Prof. John Alberto, a general surgeon participating in the Operation Smile training programme. 110 patients received life-changing surgery, 55 patients had dental care and 36 received speech and language therapy. Read the full story here 👇 https://loom.ly/ShB8mYw #HealthForAll #GlobalSurgery

With many patients living in remote areas, patient advocates like Dadafara in #Madagascar play a vital role in finding new patients and challenging the stigma that often surrounds #cleft conditions. People in remote communities are often unaware that cleft conditions can be treated. They may also fear doctors and hospitals or worry that surgery is too dangerous. Many of our patient advocates are parents or relatives of previous Operation Smile patients. Being able to share their own personal experiences of Operation Smile helps build trust and reassure worried families. Patient advocate Dadafara is the grandfather of one of our patients. He wanted to help other families like his after seeing his granddaughter's transformation after #cleft surgery. He told us: "I show parents photos of my granddaughter Claudia, so they can see that she also had a cleft and now she is fine. I do my best to convince them that Operation Smile can provide surgery and this care is safe and free, they will cover all the expenses." #cleftlip #cleftpalate #OperationSmile

Operation Smile in Tanzania is proud to support the recent establishment of the Tanzania Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (TASPRAS). This society is part of the Tanzania Surgical Association (TSA). This collaboration represents a significant step forward in providing comprehensive cleft care and surgical services across the country.   We understand the important role professional associations play in advancing healthcare. By supporting TASPRAS, we aim to foster a strong foundation that will enhance our collaborative efforts in the future. Members of TASPRAS will serve as key volunteers in our cleft surgery programmes across Tanzania, strengthening our impact both centrally and in remote communities.   We are excited about the prospects of this partnership and the potential it holds for advancing surgical care in Tanzania.

𝙈𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙇𝙀 𝘾𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙄𝘾 - 𝙎𝙈𝙄𝙇𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙇𝙀 We conducted a 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 of our 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 - "𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙚" - from June 11 to June 19. The 𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙚 was followed by the caravan of the Operation Smile delegation when travelling through the towns of Antananarivo, Moramanga, Ambatondrazaka, Brickaville and Toamasina 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 and provide 𝙣𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚. After this test phase, the results obtained are promising:  ✅ 17 new patients received their first 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 from Operation Smile ✅ 48 patients who are already following our nutrition program have had 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽, including verification of changes in their weight and health ✅ 26 patients benefited from 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 ✅ 10 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 living with cleft conditions have been 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 ✅ 101 people obtained 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. 🔜 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽: Stay tuned, the 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 will be held soon. Many thanks to our donors : Groupe EDL - BATIMAX MADAGASCAR - Groupe NP Akadin - Radisson Hotels - Madagascar - De Monchy Natural Products - DHL RSE Madagascar - STAR Madagascar - Sound's Hotels Group - NETTER MADAGASCAR - #ASL_Madagascar - Makiplast - INJET S.A - #Qualitymad - Jovena - Fondation Axian 📷 Fabien Nomenjanahary

Last month, Operation Smile in Madagascar hosted their inaugural #nursing training program from June 2 to 4 in Antananarivo. The program aimed to empower CRNAs, pre/post nurses, and OR nurses from four local hospital partners with the skills to deliver high-quality care during surgical programs. This initiative also prepared them to become future trainers in cleft-competency, fostering sustainability and local #healthcareleadership. Throughout the program, participants received mentoring and hands-on practice, emphasizing on-site training for practical skills application. The training featured focus groups and discussions on preparing future volunteers and #health workers for surgical programs, covering Operation Smile medical global standards and the Situation Background Assessment Recommendation framework. Additionally, CRNAs received specialized training on the WATO X-35 local anesthesia machine to enhance their anesthesia administration proficiency. Several key trainers who attended our SSA Nursing Conference in Addis Ababa earlier this year played a crucial role in shaping the program and preparing #nurses as future educators. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated participants, staff, and trainers whose collective efforts made this nursing program a success. This initiative marks a significant milestone in our mission to strengthen #healthcare capacity and improve surgical outcomes for individuals with cleft conditions. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our patients and their communities, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.

Thank you to all the incredible partners who worked hard during this first Champion Program. Together, we improve the health system and transform lives of people born with cleft conditions. #OperationSmile #GlobalHealth #HealthForAll #CleftSurgeries

PATIENT STORY: FROM THE APRIL SURGICAL PROGRAM Marcel Ratsimbazafy, 14 years old, is the youngest in a family of 7 children. He comes from Antanjonomby, located in the commune of Vohitrandriana in the Nosy Varika district, and in the Vatovavy region which is in the East part of Madagascar. His parents got separated when he was only 2 and a half years old. They decided to raise separately 3 children each. But because of his cleft condition, Marcel, was given to his 60 years old grandfather, Zafy Justin. His family and neighbors called him by his nickname “Rasima” due to his malformation. Other children also laughed on him, and situations ended frequently with fights. His grandfather cannot pay his school fees anymore. Consequently, Marcel had to leave school. He is now helping in the household chores: herding the oxen, taking water and wood, etc. Living in remote areas, Marcel and his grandfather had to walk for one day to reach Nosy Varika. Then, they took the pirogue to go to the town of Mananjary, where they were accompanied by the Patient Advocate to take the taxi-brousse car to go to Antsirabe in order to have cleft surgery. Please help Operation Smile to create new smiles for children like Marcel. They do not only need cleft surgery but require also an excellent psychosocial support to face their challenges. The psychosocial program is an important part of the activities in Madagascar. Please support our surgical programs and non surgical ones including the Psychosocial program. #OperationSmile #OperationSmileInMadagascar #PatientStory #PsychosocialProgram #PSP 📸 Henitsoa Rafalia

We are celebrating the resilience and promise of Africa's health systems on International Day of the African Child, alongside our inspiring local leaders and partnerships. Our commitment remains steadfast as we work together to ensure every child has access to life-changing comprehensive care and surgery.   Read our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/dmY6dMMK   #InternationalDayoftheAfricanChild #HealthForAll #OperationSmile #LocalLeadersGlobalHealth

"As part of the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Operation Smile proudly co-hosted a side event with Mercy Ships on May 30, focusing on enhancing collaboration for surgical patients. The event, titled "Amplifying Synergies Between NGOs, Multilaterals, and Academia to Benefit Surgical Patients," aimed to build partnerships across sectors to increase access to surgical, obstetrics, trauma, and anesthesia care. Distinguished guests from the World Health Organization, global NGOs, the Minister of Health from Zimbabwe, and Daniela Picco, a private sector representative from MSC Foundation, attended the event. Our esteemed panelists included Dr. Wieslawa de Pawlikowski from Peru, Dr. Salome Maswime from South Africa, Dr. Faustin NTIRENGANYA, MD,MMED,FCS, PhD from Rwanda, Dr. Emmanuel Makasa from Zambia, and Dr. Teri Reynolds from the WHO. The discussion, moderated by our Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Ruben Ayala, aimed to elevate the voices of healthcare specialists from LMICs and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders to improve global access to safe, high-quality care. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Mercy Ships, Mercy Ships Suisse, MSC Foundation and everyone else who made this event possible. We are excited about the progress made and the partnerships formed during #WHA77, and we look forward to continuing our work to improve global surgical care. Together, we can work towards positively transforming the lives of patients and their communities worldwide"

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 We are happy and proud to share you the results of our recent Champions Program that happened from May 24 to May 31, 2024. We were able to provide invaluable assistance to numerous patients: ✔ 29 cleft lip or palate surgeries ✔4 malnourished children received nutritional care ✔7 individuals received dental care ✔2 patients benefited from speech therapy sessions ✔47 individuals profited from psychosocial consultations Our Malagasy medical volunteers could enhance their knowledge and skills thanks to the different exchanges made during this program. A big thank you to our partners for their unwavering support. Together, we made a difference! Local donors: STAR Madagascar - Groupe EDL - #ASLMADAGASCAR - Fondation Axian - Telma Madagascar -Jovena - #Soredim - DHL RSE Madagascar - Carlton Madagascar - Radisson Hotels - Madagascar #Operationsmile #OperationsmileMadagascar #Hoannymarary #ChampionsProgram 📷 Henitsoa Rafalia