Docs offer free ops to children
Over a seven day period in November 2007, the children who live in poorer regions will receive major surgery. Most were born with conditions such as cleft lip and palate and they will be brought to 43 different centres for treatment.
A planning conference at Adare Manor over the past three days was attended by 130 medical professionals from 30 countries.
A team of 30 Irish professionals will travel to some of the 25 countries for the week-long exercise which has been called World Journey of Smiles.
Dublin plastic surgeon, Michael Earley will lead the Irish contingent which will include plastic surgeons, orthodontists, dentists, anaesthetists, nurses and other professionals.
Mr Earley said: “There will be 1,500 volunteer professionals taking part in the week long programme. Getting involved in World Journey of Smiles reminds me of why I became a doctor in the first place.”
Paediatric dentist, Eleanor McGovern, from Westport, Co Mayo has treated in many different countries under the Operation Smile Programme.
She said: “Taking part in something so fantastic as World Journey of Smiles is very rewarding when you see children get the opportunity to have a life they might otherwise never have had.”
In Ireland, one baby in every 800 is born with cleft lip/palate. All are treated.
As part of Operation Smile, an 18 month old Moroccan girl will be brought to Temple Street children’s hospital in December for surgery.
Mr Earley said: “I came across her when I was working with a mission in Morocco. Her cleft lip and palate condition were too serious to treat on site surgically. So Operation Smile will being her to Temple Street. She will be the first child treated in this country under Operation Smile’s World Care Programme.”
Anybody wishing to contact Operation Smile can do on 01-6676659, at 31 Pembroke Road, Dublin
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