Surgical camp: Finally something to smile about

154 cleft lip and palate surgeries conducted in one day at free camp.


Shamsul Islam October 31, 2011

FAISALABAD:


A total of 154 ‘cleft lip and palate’ operations were conducted during a free camp established at the Darul Sahat Hospital on Sargodha Road on Monday.


According to health officials, the camp was organised in collaboration with the Faisalabad Crown Lions Club, Smile Foundation and Faisalabad Platinum Lions Club. Inaugurating the camp, chamber of commerce and industry president Muzammal Sultan paid tribute to the organisers of the event.

“I usually arrange a few cleft lip surgeries a month but there is a lot of administrative hassle involved with regards to finances but this camp is a blessing because several doctors are at the spot and we perform the surgeries in one or two days. That’s hundreds of lives changed in a day,” said surgeon Mubarak Kamal Sahnu.

A team of senior doctors conducted a series of operation during the camp and over 300 patients from different parts of the province signed up to attend. “The camp will continue until we have managed to complete all of the surgeries but so far we have successfully treated 154 patients,” said one of the organisers Dr Hashim Abdullah.

“My daughter was born with a cleft lip and we have been trying to arrange for money for the surgery for a year.

When I heard about the camp I arranged to come here from Peshawar because the procedures are free of cost,” said Peshawar resident Ruqqaiyya Bibi.

Nurses at the camp said that the event had taken months to arrange. “Most of the effort went into organising the list of patients and who would be treating them. We have over 25 qualified surgeons to do the procedures and they have managed over 4-5 procedures each every day,” said a nurse Tahira.

A team of senior doctors said that they had signed up to participate in the camp a month in advance. “It was all handled very well and the organisers made sure to confirm the dates with each surgeon to ensure that we weren’t already booked for these days. We have specialists in plastic surgery as well as general surgeons and paediatric surgeons on the roster,” said Dr Abdullah.

Executive district officer (Finance and Planning) Dr Nadeem, FCCI Medical superintendent Atif Munir and other members of the Smile Foundation were present at the camp.

“We are so glad to be able to coordinate with the district authorities on this event. The camp has allowed hundreds to be treated in one day and there are still a few days left,” said Smile Foundation coordinator Mehreen Ali.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2011. 

COMMENTS (2)

Amjad | 12 years ago | Reply

That is why there is always hope in Pakistan and all Muslim nations. Despite the challenges and turmoil, there are good people and a lot of good work is done. Pakistan Zindabad.

Sid | 12 years ago | Reply

All is not bad. With such dedicated people, there is still a ray of hope. ZARA NUM HO TO YE MAATEE...

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