Published: 12:26 AM, 21 July 2026
Global medical mission offers free cleft surgeries to 100 children
A five-day international medical mission has begun in Dhaka to provide free reconstructive surgeries for around 100 children with cleft lip and cleft palate from low-income families across Bangladesh.
The mission, inaugurated on Saturday at Sarkari Karmachari Hospital by Public Administration Adviser Md. Ismail Zabihullah, is being organised by SAJIDA Foundation in partnership with Sarkari Karmachari Hospital, Smile Asia and Dhaka Bank PLC.
The initiative has brought together 38 volunteer healthcare professionals from eight countries, who are working alongside Bangladeshi physicians to perform specialised reconstructive surgeries from July 18 to 22. The multidisciplinary team includes plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, therapists and other specialists. Senior government officials, healthcare leaders, development partners, corporate representatives and members of the international medical community attended the inauguration, reaffirming their commitment to expanding access to specialised reconstructive healthcare for children.
Speaking at the event, Zabihullah said the mission was restoring children's smiles, confidence and hope while easing the burden on their families.
Director General of Sarkari Karmachari Hospital Md. A. Razzak Sarkar said the initiative builds on the success of last year's mission and thanked the international medical teams for volunteering their expertise.
SAJIDA Foundation Deputy CEO Md. Fazlul Hoque said more than 200 patients from across the country had been registered for this year's mission through nationwide outreach, reflecting the significant demand for specialised cleft care.
Dhaka Bank Managing Director Osman Ershad Faiz said the bank was proud to support a humanitarian initiative that would transform the lives of children beyond its banking services.
Smile Asia Secretary General Abhimanyu Talukdar said the organisation has completed more than 500 cleft surgeries in Bangladesh over the years and expects this year's mission to further expand its impact.
Cleft lip and palate are among the world's most common congenital craniofacial conditions, affecting approximately one in every 500 to 600 live births. In Bangladesh, more than 5,000 children are born with these conditions each year.
Although the conditions are highly treatable through timely surgery, many children remain untreated because specialised healthcare is beyond the reach of financially disadvantaged families or unavailable in many parts of the country. Without treatment, affected children often face challenges in feeding, speech, hearing, nutrition and overall development.
A call centre for Sarkari Karmachari Hospital was also inaugurated during the programme to strengthen patient-centred healthcare services.
