In Pakistan, Operation Smile joined forces with the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Pakistan (CLAPP) in 2023, which has provided care to around 45,000 patients in past 20 years.
The CLAPP is led by Dr. Ghulam Fayyaz, who has been a long-term volunteer with Operation Smile and is dedicated to improving access to quality cleft care in Pakistan.
THE NEED
4th largest cleft population. Pakistan has the fourth largest population of people living with cleft conditions behind China, India and Indonesia. The prevalence of cleft conditions is one in 523 live births.
Shortage of providers. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery proposed that, to meet populations’ needs, countries should have at least 20 specialist surgical workers per 100,000 population. In stark contrast, Pakistan has just six specialist surgical providers per 100,000 people. Overseas migration exacerbates the shortage of doctors. About 1,000–1,500 physicians leave the country annually, of which just 10%–15% return to Pakistan.
Financial burden. The prevalence of unofficial payments for health care at government facilities creates obstacles to accessing health care for individuals affected by cleft conditions. 31% of the population is at risk of impoverishing expenditure for surgical care, while 53% faces catastrophic expenditure in case of surgical care. Vulnerable population groups are often forced to sell assets or borrow money to cover health expenses.
Strained health system. Pakistan’s unprecedented rate of urbanization since the 1990s has resulted in the proliferation of slums, which lack basic services such as safe water supply, sanitation and waste collection. The absence of quality health services in slums can lead to delayed or inadequate treatment for children living with cleft conditions, potentially resulting in complications and poor health outcomes.
OUR FORMULA FOR TRANSFORMATION
Operation Smile’s formula for transformational impact combines care delivery & capacity-building.
Education programs are at the center of Operation Smile’s strategy to increase access to surgery closer to the patient’s home.
Each surgical program brings together providers from all over the world for a unique opportunity to share knowledge and innovate. This type of bi-directional learning is essential to redistributing knowledge between providers and building capacity in the areas of greatest need.
Our work in health policy & advocacy and health infrastructure & equipment addresses structural barriers to care and helps build robust health systems. Operation Smile’s research & innovation efforts inform all aspects of our decision-making and allow us to have a comprehensive understanding of the impact our programs have on patients.
HOSPITAL PARTNERS
In Pakistan, Operation Smile delivers cleft care at our key hospital partner in Lahore, the country’s second-largest city and the capital of Punjab province.
To ensure that every child has access to care close to home, we equip the providers within our patients’ communities with skills and resources to deliver quality care.
Operation Smile is working with Dr. Fayyaz to develop a hands-on mentoring program across all specialties related to cleft lip and cleft palate. We will harness the talent and resources that exist within the country to help create the next generation of cleft care providers.
During Fiscal Year July 2024-June 2025, Operation Smile Canada has committed to invest $105,331, accounting for 9% of Pakistan’s total projected budget for the fiscal year, which will directly contribute to providing safe surgical care to 720 patients affected by cleft conditions.
Cleft Care Programs
This year, Operation Smile Pakistan will recruit 900 patients. These patients come from diverse backgrounds and regions and find their way to clinical care through a network of referrals that emanate not only from governmental bodies but also from the collaborative efforts of various NGOs. Operation Smile will provide surgical care for 720 patients in Pakistan. We will expand comprehensive cleft care services by providing consultations in oral health (240 patients) and speech therapy (350 patients).
Education Programs
We will mitigate the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals by providing top-quality education and training for approximately 310 medical providers in Pakistan. Operation Smile will provide American Heart Association courses and deliver training for cleft surgeons, oral health specialists and speech therapists.
FIVE-YEAR VISION
Over the next five years, we will provide surgical care for 4,710 patients. Additionally, we will deliver consultations to around 4,700 patients, expanding access to comprehensive cleft care.
Operation Smile will strengthen the health workforce by providing medical education and training to 51 surgeons, 32 dentists and 28 speech therapists. We will provide American Heart Association courses to 415 individuals.