Caption 1 & 2:
Cleft lip patient from Operation Hope before and after shot (picture from www.operationofhope.org)
By MATTHEW VARI
THE organizers of the upcoming free medical procedures for cleft lip and cleft palate surgery program, ‘Operation Hope’ are calling for candidates and corporate support for the life changing surgery procedures set for December 14 to 19.
Organizer and Facilitator, the Pacific International Hospital (PIH), will bring in the Operation Hope team from the United States to operate on 30 patients from around the country.
PIH Public Relations Manager Joel Sarmenta, said that with over 20 patients already identified, the race is on to get the required number of patients from areas around the country.
“We are out to look for 30 patients so we need to spread the word to find these patients- we already have about 20 plus,” Sarmenta said.
“We are also looking for sponsors, corporate sponsors especially in the regions- the three surgeons from the United States will be based here in Port Moresby for a short period so it is convenient to have them here where the equipment is to perform the surgeries and have patients brought over to the city.”
“We are appealing to corporates to contact us on 71558866 if they would like to sponsor patients that are coming from outside Port Moresby.”
He said that with a number of patients to be kids, they will need to be flown in, and any support would for plane fares and accommodation as well would be appreciated.
“There will be pre-screening, it will not be automatic as certain conditions will have to be met, and the list goes to the doctors on who the patients will be, so we are preparing early,” Sarmenta said.
“Listed as one of the best top 10 non-profit organizations in the US- Operation of Hope have recently been to Zimbabwe a few months ago to do similar procedures and they are coming here for the first time in PNG.”
“It is in time for Christmas so those patients will have a real smile for the festive season so those who would like to recommend patient can get in touch with us.”
The Program coordinator of the cleft and palate surgeries is Ms Khushbu, phone 311 3000, mobile 70312483, or email khushbupih@gmail.com.
Operation of Hope provides life-changing surgical care, healthcare and medical training programs in under-served areas of the world through international collaboration among medical & non-medical volunteers, empowered by corporate and individual sponsors.
A sanctioned public not-for-profit, all-volunteer surgical team that provides free surgeries to children in developing countries who are born with or suffering from facial deformities- founded in 1988, by retired ear, nose and throat physician Dr. JP Clawson, the team has impacted the lives of over 3,000 children.
Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis), can also occur together ascleft lip and palate, are variations of a type of clefting congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during fetus development.
A cleft is a fissure or opening- a gap, it is the non-fusion of the body's natural structures that form before birth.
Approximately 1 in 700 children born have a cleft lip or a cleft palate or both.
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