OSSA 01: Screening day at Nelson Mandela Children’s with Operational Smile South Africa volunteers Dr Dirk Lazarus and Dr Clare Neser.
Operation Smile South Africa is calling on families of children aged six months to 12 years born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate to come forward for screening and assessment for possible access to free, safe surgery and comprehensive cleft care at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) in Johannesburg this May.
In a continued effort to reduce the backlog of cleft surgeries in Gauteng, Operation Smile and NMCH, with support from Life Healthcare, will host an intensive surgical weekend from 29–31 May 2026, providing life-changing operations for up to 40 children while also training and upskilling local medical professionals.
“Cleft conditions can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak, hear and breathe, but timely surgery can significantly improve health outcomes and change the trajectory of a child’s life,” says Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa. “We encourage families to come forward ahead of the screening day on 29 May.”
As the programme is hosted at a children’s hospital, only children under 12 will be screened, though families of patients of all ages are encouraged to make contact for guidance and future support.
A specialist team of around 50 medical volunteers, including surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists and imaging specialists – will work alongside NMCH clinical staff to deliver surgery and strengthen local cleft care capacity.
“At NMCH, our mission is inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief in children’s right to health and dignity,” says Dr Nkuli Boikhutso, CEO of NMCH. “This collaboration reflects the power of partnership in transforming lives.”
Each child will undergo detailed pre-operative assessments to ensure surgical suitability, with patient safety as the highest priority. Post-surgery, patients and caregivers will remain at the Operation Smile Patient Village until final assessment and discharge, receiving all care free of charge.
Life Healthcare will again support the programme. Chief People Officer Avanthi Parboosing says: “Every child deserves the chance to smile, speak and feel they belong.”
While cleft conditions are treatable within the public healthcare system, long waiting times and limited resources often delay care, leading to significant health, developmental and social challenges.
Families wishing to access screening or more information can contact Patient Coordinator Dakalo Maguga on 073 577 8786 or infosa@operationsmile.org.
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