"Emirati Smile" and "Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi" bring back the smile of 8 children with cleft lip

Doctors from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Emirati Smile Foundation have succeeded in changing the lives of eight children suffering from cleft palate and cleft lip through minimally invasive surgery.

Through this initiative, volunteer doctors from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Emirati Smile Foundation worked together to convert one of the hospital floors into a unit to receive pre-screened children.

The eight children underwent surgery on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 of this month, and they were discharged today after final checks and checks were made.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 virus, the hospital continued to support the "Operation Smile" initiative for the fourth year in a row.

In addition, volunteers from the medical team came from all emirates of the country to reach Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi free of COVID-19 and perform the surgeries in a completely safe environment.

This annual initiative began in 2017 and with the continued support of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City every year represents another achievement.

The Marriott Group also provided support for the second year in a row by providing accommodation for volunteer doctors from Al Ain, Sharjah, and Dubai, in addition to patients coming from the Northern Emirates.

About his experience, 10-month-old father Jiangyang Rizhang said, “At first, my wife and I thought it would be impossible, because we knew that there are so many children who need help like ours. One day, we were surprised by a phone call to tell us that our son is one of the children. After a few months, our son was undergoing examinations for pre-operation preparation. Now that the operation has been successfully completed, we feel that a huge burden has been lifted and we are sincerely grateful to everyone who participated in this. "

For his part, Executive Director of the Emirates Smile Foundation said, “Bringing hope to families who have felt despair is a beautiful thing .. Seeing a change in a child's life after surgery is indescribable. We will never forget a parent's hug with gratitude. Thanks to the dedication of the wonderful volunteers, the Ministry of Health, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. , Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi and Aloft Abu Dhabi, we have given hope to eight other families, and we hope that there will be more in the future. "

"Putting a smile on a child's face is a feeling that goes beyond words," said volunteer and physician at the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Mahdi Shukkani.

"We are all very happy with the results of the surgeries that will help these children lead a healthy and happy life. Our team is working around the clock to ensure that patients and their families get the care they need."

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