Free cleft surgery mission set for Mthatha, Eastern Cape, from October 29

This year's programme is split into two separate parts, separating the initial patient check-ups from the actual surgery days.

First, patients receive their health screenings, and then the surgeries take place on the following days. The medical team will conduct screenings on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Medical specialists will evaluate every patient to confirm surgical readiness, check anaesthetic safety, and formulate an individualised treatment plan.

Following this, surgeons will perform reconstructive surgeries across three consecutive days, from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Building on the success of the previous mission in October 2025, where volunteer medical personnel screened more than 40 patients at the hospital and completed 32 cleft surgeries, the 2026 programme adds a third surgical day to accommodate additional procedures.

Eastern Cape MEC for Health, Ntandokazi Capa, confirmed provincial support for the clinical team.

Capa noted that bringing together "a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, including cleft surgeons, anaesthetists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists and other specialists" ensures that families will obtain critical care.

Who can access the service

This year, the clinic will be accepting infants, children, and adults living with an unrepaired cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.

Paediatric surgical specialists note that cleft conditions vary in anatomical severity. Untreated clefts can impede an infant's suckling reflex, compromise weight gain, and distort normal speech and hearing development.

Patients also frequently develop secondary complications, such as dental misalignment and airway difficulties.

Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa, explained that the outreach addresses structural inequalities in public health.

Acknowledging that surgical access "can be difficult, especially for families living in rural communities," Scarth stressed that the organisation works to help patients "access specialist care closer to home."

"We want families to know that they do not have to navigate this difficult journey alone," Scarth said. "If you or your child is living with an unrepaired cleft, please get in touch with us and let our team explain how we can help."

Training local healthcare workers

Beyond operative procedures, the programme incorporates clinical mentoring for provincial medical personnel.

Local doctors, nurses, anaesthetic registrars, and speech therapists will train alongside visiting specialists and assist with theatre workflows, surgical preparation, and recovery monitoring. This collaborative model helps regional staff manage long-term cleft care.

"Conducting surgeries is just one part of our programme," Scarth said. "It is also about strengthening the skills and knowledge within the communities we serve."

This year's mission coincides with the 20-year anniversary of Operation Smile South Africa.

Official organisational records indicate that since establishing operations in 2006, the organisation has completed 6 221 safe reconstructive surgeries while working alongside provincial health authorities to lower the regional surgical backlog.