Rotary Club of Manila’s Cleft Surgery Mission 2023

Rotary International Global Grant (GG2348049) is providing 60 or more cleft lip/palate surgeries for children while working with the Sta. Ana Hospital and Operation Smile Philippines in Manila, Philippines.

Rotary Club of Manila’s Cleft Surgery Mission 2023 aims to provide 60 or more cleft lip/palate surgeries for children. Cleft lip and palate deformities are a common birth defect in the Philippines, with an estimated incidence of one in every 500 births. These conditions can affect the appearance, speech, hearing, and feeding ability of affected individuals, and can significantly impact their quality of life. This project aims to provide life changing cleft lip/palate surgery in Manila for 60 young people.

Rotary Club of Manila, together with Operation Smile, an international medical organization that provides surgical interventions for children with cleft lip and palate deformities. The organization partners with local hospitals and health-care professionals to provide comprehensive care, including pre and post operative evaluations, surgery, and follow-up care. These projects not only address the physical and functional aspects of cleft lip and palate deformities, but also the social and emotional impacts of these conditions on affected individuals and their families. They also contribute to the overall improvement of maternal and child health in the Philippines by providing access to high-quality medical care and support services for affected individuals.

Leading the initiative are the Global Grant Team of the Rotary Club of Manila under President Herminio S. Esguerra; Global Grant Chairman Aries B. Balanay; and Project Chairman Joel Valdes. The cooperating entities are Operation Smile Philippines, Rotary International District 3810, Rotary International District 5150, Rotary Club of Manila, Rotary Club of San Bruno, Rotary Club of Sangju-Central, Huaqiao Foundation Limited, Rotary District 5150, Charitable Fund 504, and the Sta. Ana Hospital, the venue for the Cleft Mission Project of Rotary Club of Manila on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.