QC government, Operation Smile give hope to 150 children

Growing up has been extremely difficult for some 150 children in Quezon City born with cleft lips and palates.

Their facial deformities have triggered various speech difficulties, malnutrition, dental and hearing problems. Most are unable to go to school or interact with other children in their community.

However, the Quezon City government and the Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) are determined to give these children the opportunity to live normal lives. Plans are now underway for corrective surgery on children with congenital facial deformities.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and members of OSP are now finalizing the mechanics for the operation.

OSP, a private and non-profit medical service organization which has treated over 17,000 Filipinos since 1982, is set to provide a 15-man medical team for the Smile project in Quezon City.

Ricardo Leparan, OSP executive director, said the medical mission will benefit low-income families that cannot afford corrective surgery, which costs at least P7,000 per patient.

Some 4,000 Filipino babies are born with harelips, cleft palates or both annually.

Under the proposed project, OSP will provide the medical team composed of volunteer plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, speech pathologists and nurses. Surgical instrument and operating tables will also be provided by OSP.

The Quezon City government will provide the venue or hospital for the medical mission as well as select at least 150 children with facial deformities.

Jose Querubin, OSP chairman of the board, said reconstructive surgery for each patient takes only 45 minutes to one hour and a half.