Operation Smile, the international not-for-profit organisation that provides safe, effective reconstructive surgery for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities, has launched its UAE foundation.

The ceremony took place at the Beach Rotana hotel in Abu Dhabi, a statement from the organization said.

Established late last year, Operation Smile UAE (OSUAE) gained full registration as a charity under the Ministry of Social Affairs in January, under the patronage of Sheikha Alyazia Bint Saif Al Nahyan.

Serving as a resource country to help raise awareness for those who suffer from facial deformities, the charity has already funded two missions to Morocco and Philippines, providing a total of 444 surgeries across both countries.

“It is with great pleasure and joy that we celebrate the official launch of Operation Smile UAE. As we continue with the incredible work of the charity here in the UAE, I look forward to seeing many more beautiful smiles around the world. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our partners so far and hope to continue raising awareness throughout the UAE for many years to come,” Al Nahyan said.

OSUAE has partnered with several schools and universities across the UAE to establish Operation Smile clubs and conferences to raise awareness amongst young adults, and has also worked closely with Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, as well as other medical establishments to recruit medical volunteers to help raise awareness, the statement said.

A range of highly trained nurses, cranio facial surgeons, plastic surgeons, dentists, speech pathologists, anesthetists and pediatricians from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City have volunteered to work closely with the organisation to help transform lives over the past twelve months.

A total of eight dental chairs have been donated by Sheikh Khalifa Medical City to be used at cleft centers in Morocco, Cambodia and South Africa. Two of these chairs will be used in a planned mobile awareness bus which will travel throughout the UAE providing consultations and care for children suffering from facial deformities, and introducing students to good oral hygiene and healthy eating, it said. 

Morag Cromey Hawke, executive director, Operation Smile UAE, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have launched Operation Smile UAE and are very grateful to our various partners who have helped bring our vision to life in the UAE so far, but we are always looking for more volunteers and donors to join our team. We look forward to a future of many more happy and healthy children.”

UAE partners who have signed up to help this cause include Yas Rotana Hotel and Centro Rotana in Abu Dhabi; both of which have launched dedicated OSUAE initiatives to raise funds through donations from their guests during the months of October, November and December.

Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi has also partnered with the organisation as part of its CSR campaign to help raise awareness throughout the mall. – TradeArabia News Service