Healthpoint, Operation Smile UAE transform lives with cleft surgeries

UAE—Healthpoint, a leading hospital under the M42 group, has partnered with Operation Smile UAE to perform 19 life-changing surgeries for patients with cleft lips and palates.

The procedures benefited individuals aged six months to 43 years as part of Healthpoint’s seventh surgical program, which was conducted in collaboration with the charity.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth conditions where the upper lip or the roof of the mouth does not fully develop during pregnancy.

These conditions can cause difficulties in eating, speaking, and hearing, and in some cases, they may also lead to dental problems.

According to Operation Smile, around 1 in 700 children worldwide are born with a cleft condition. An estimated five million people live with untreated clefts in countries where the charity operates.

Through its ongoing partnership with Operation Smile UAE, Healthpoint has reaffirmed its commitment to improving lives by providing high-quality surgical care.

 Since 2020, the hospital has played a crucial role in supporting the charity’s mission, helping more than 95 patients receive treatment at its state-of-the-art facility.

During this recent surgical program, patients from various nationalities, including Uzbekistan and the Philippines, were assessed by a multidisciplinary team of medical volunteers.

 This team included plastic surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, dentists, orthodontists, and speech therapists, ensuring comprehensive care for each patient.

Those who qualified for surgery received treatment at Healthpoint, which provided three fully equipped operating theatres, pre-and post-operative wards, and a range of additional support services.

 The hospital ensured that each patient underwent a smooth and transformative journey toward recovery.

Omar Al Naqbi, Healthpoint’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the significance of this long-standing partnership, emphasizing that it reflects both organizations’ dedication to improving healthcare outcomes in the region.

He expressed pride in Healthpoint’s ability to leverage its world-class facilities and expertise to change lives and give patients a reason to smile.

Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director of Operation Smile UAE, expressed deep gratitude for Healthpoint’s continuous support.

She noted that this collaboration allows the charity to provide life-changing surgeries, comprehensive care, and education to those in need.

She also acknowledged the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi for its unwavering support since Operation Smile UAE’s inception in 2011. 

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