From Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July, more than 220 patients received specialist healthcare during a successful three-day programme at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela.
Delivered by Operation Smile South Africa, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Health, the programme combined life-changing cleft surgery with a free community dental initiative.
16 patients received cleft lip and/or cleft palate surgery – while 211 children from across the community accessed free dental treatment through an oral health programme delivered by the Rob Ferreira Hospital Dental Department, with support from Operation Smile South Africa.
The dental programme provided children up to the age of 12 with access to essential oral healthcare services, including fillings, scale and polishes, extractions, dental restorations, fissure sealants and pulpotomies (root canals on baby teeth). The initiative not only addressed immediate treatment needs, it included an awareness and education aspect to promote long-term oral health.
Comprehensive care beyond surgery
A specialist team of Operation Smile volunteers – including cleft surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists, play specialists, medical records specialists and patient imaging technicians – travelled from across South Africa to work alongside the Rob Ferreira Hospital surgical and dental teams.
Beyond delivering surgery and oral healthcare, the programme focused on strengthening local healthcare capacity through collaboration, mentorship and skills transfer.
Every child and family received compassionate care at no cost, made possible through the generosity of Operation Smile South Africa’s partners and supporters.
From l-r: Dr Thembisile Matsinhe (CEO Themba Hospital) and Dr Hlomane Tshehla (Provincial Oral Health Manager) chat to Kwanele Dlhamini after her child’s surgery.
Seeing her child’s smile after surgery
Portia Mashego from Bushbuckridge, a town about 120km north of Mbombela, says seeing her child’s smile after the operation has brought her so much joy.
“I first came to Rob Ferreira Hospital in January for my child to have surgery to repair her cleft lip. The operation was successful and now we’ve come back for the cleft palate surgery. I am so grateful to Operation Smile South Africa for giving my child the chance to live a normal life.”
The power of community support
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by the Mbombela community throughout the weekend,” said Sarah Scarth, Executive Director Operation Smile South Africa.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this programme possible – from our medical volunteers and partners to Glencore Coal SA, Southern Sun Mbombela, Ndalo Lodge, Ilanga Mall and The Square for so generously caring for our volunteers, patients and their families. Together, you have helped us provide life-changing care to children and families who need it most.”
Partnerships making a lasting impact
“Our partnership with Operation Smile South Africa has become an important part of strengthening access to specialised cleft care in Mpumalanga,” said Ms Sasekani Manzini, Mpumalanga MEC for Health. “Beyond the surgeries themselves, this collaboration is helping to build local healthcare capacity, strengthen multidisciplinary services and improve referral pathways for patients and their families.
We are particularly pleased to have recently extended our Memorandum of Understanding with Operation Smile South Africa for a further three years, ensuring this important work can continue to benefit communities across the province.”
