Good news for families of cleft lip and palate patients. On August 6th and 7th, Operation Smile Brazil will screen patients for surgery. The surgical procedures, which are completely free, will take place between August 10th and 14th in Rio de Janeiro. The campaign has received institutional support from Clube de Regatas do Flamengo since last year.

In addition to surgery, the international medical-humanitarian program will also provide accommodation (patient and companion) and transportation between hospitals - according to the campaign coordinators, the socio-cultural profile of patients is typically low-income and low-education.

During patient screening, medical, psychological, speech-language, genetic, dental, and social evaluations will be performed. All screenings and surgeries will be performed at Fundão Hospital – Governador Island (Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital – UFRJ).

The campaign involves surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, speech therapists, psychologists, students, and professionals from other specialized fields volunteering to help patients and their families. The initiative is in partnership with the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office, the Brazilian Society of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital (UFRJ), Projeto Fendas (HUCFF-UFRJ), and Operation Smile International.

More information

www.operacaosorriso.org.br