Operation Smile and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital partner to deliver urgent surgeries and build local clinical capacity.
In a continued effort to reduce the backlog of cleft lip and palate surgeries in Gauteng, Operation Smile and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), with key support from Life Healthcare, will deliver an intensive weekend surgical programme from 29 to 31 May, providing life-changing surgeries for up to 40 children, while simultaneously transferring specialist skills and knowledge to surgical trainees.
This year’s programme also takes place as Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) celebrates 20 years of providing life-changing cleft lip and palate surgery, powered by volunteer medical professionals whose dedication has transformed the lives of children and adults who would otherwise do not have had access to care across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The milestone coincides with 2026 being declared the International Volunteer Year by the United Nations, highlighting the critical role volunteers play in driving sustainable development worldwide.
A specialist team of 50 Operation Smile medical volunteers – including cleft surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists, medical records and patient imaging technicians – will travel from across South Africa to Johannesburg to collaborate with the specialist paediatric clinical team at the world-class Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Another volunteer taking part this year is Life Healthcare Chief People Officer, Avanthi Parboosing, who will join the programme on the ground in support of the surgical weekend. “Every child deserves the chance to smile, speak and feel they belong – without ridicule or judgement,” says Avanthi. “Engaging with the mothers and children as they’re screened, many filled with anxiety and hope for life‑changing surgery, is incredibly moving. It’s a powerful reminder of how much this moment means to families who have waited so long. I’m immensely proud of Life Healthcare for supporting an initiative that makes such a real and tangible difference. It speaks to the heart of who we are and what we do: making life better. This work is truly life‑changing.”
Understanding cleft conditions and the care journey
Whilst South Africa’s public healthcare system is designed to treat patients with cleft conditions, in many areas it remains chronically under-resourced, leaving children and families waiting months or even years for care.
Without timely surgical intervention, children with cleft conditions face serious and debilitating long-term health issues, developmental delays and the risk of social isolation and bullying.
Although research into the causes of cleft lip and palate is not conclusive, genetics and family history, pre-existing medical conditions, poor nutrition and exposure to harmful substances may affect the healthy development of an unborn baby. Depending on the cleft condition, a child typically requires multiple surgeries throughout their childhood, as well as speech therapy and dental treatment. Psychosocial support is also crucial to support the child and family throughout their journey to seek complete care.
“At Operation Smile we believe safe surgery is a human right not a privilege. Powered by our volunteer medical team, the weekend surgical programme will help around 40 families access life-changing cleft surgery, while simultaneously supporting the transfer of critical skills towards building local cleft surgical capacity,” says Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa, which has, over the past 20 years, partnered with government and health institutions across the country to provide thousands of free surgeries to children and young adults with cleft conditions.
Children will attend a pre-surgery screening on Friday, 29 May at NMCH. With patient safety as the top priority, each child will undergo a thorough medical assessment to determine their suitability for surgery. Working to the highest medical standards, the Operation Smile and NMCH team will perform surgeries throughout Saturday and Sunday. Following surgery, young patients and their caregivers will stay at the Operation Smile Patient Village until their final post-operative assessment and discharge.
Each young patient, accompanied by their parent or guardian, will receive compassionate care, free of charge, all made possible by the generosity of the programme’s partners.
“At NMCH, our mission is inspired by Nelson Mandela’s deep love for children and his belief in their right to live and thrive,” says Dr Nkuli Boikhutso, CEO of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. “This initiative reflects our commitment to family-centred, evidence-based care and the power of collaboration to change lives. By working together to deliver world-class surgeries and build local expertise, we are living our values of Ubuntu, compassion and excellence.”
As part of their commitment to care for the community, the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton will once again provide a home base for the volunteers during their stay in Johannesburg.
“At Radisson Blu Sandton, we are honoured to be part of this journey of healing. Supporting the wellbeing of the Operation Smile team while they perform life-changing work is a privilege,” said Stefan Lourens, General Manager of Radisson Blu Sandton.
“Alongside the dedication of volunteers, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of donors and the commitment of our partners, which make this work possible,” says Scarth. “Financial contributions and strategic partnerships ensure we can continue delivering safe, high-quality surgical care and expanding access to treatment for more patients each year.”
For more information, visit www.operationsmile.org.za
