BLOEMFONTEIN: A group of children received life-changing surgeries during the most recent Smile Week that took place in Bloemfontein. This series of operations started on Saturday, 27 September, when medical practitioners in the private sector joined hands and operated on five children in the Life Rosepark Hospital.
The reconstructive surgeons, Dr Efraim van der Walt and Dr Shashi Agarwal, were joined by anaesthetist Dr Louis van den Berg and performed five operations.
Three of these operations were to assist children with prominent ears, and one child with a drooping eyelid. The fifth was an ear reconstruction. More operations were conducted from Monday, 29 September, at the Universitas Academic Hospital at the official start of Smile Week.
Twenty children had essential reconstructive surgeries done, including cleft lip and palate repairs, affording them the opportunity to live healthier and more confident lives.
One of the children scheduled for surgery is one-year-old Vusumzi Kwabeni from Welkom, who has waited more than a year to undergo his unilateral cleft lip repair following a successful heart surgery. Vusumzi’s mother, Nomvula, recalls the difficult journey they have endured to reach this milestone. “At first, I was confused and scared. I thought the doctor had made a mistake during my C-section. When I saw Vusi in the incubator being fed milk with a syringe, I cried.
“But I told myself I had to be strong. The doctors then discovered he had a hole in his heart, and we had to wait until that was repaired before he could have his cleft surgery.
“We have travelled from Welkom to Bloemfontein many times, sometimes with no food for me, just enough milk and nappies for Vusi. I never missed an appointment because I want him to have the same opportunities as other children.
“Now it is finally our turn to be happy. I cannot stop imagining how he will look after the operation,” said Nomvula.
Moira Gerszt, acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the Smile Foundation, says this week is an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration.
“Smile Week is more than just a hospital initiative; it is about restoring dignity and changing lives. Thanks to our partnership with Easigas and the dedicated medical team at the Universitas Academic Hospital, we can give these children the chance to smile, speak, and thrive. Each surgery represents a new beginning not, only for the child but for their entire family.”
Dr Nikita Blake, a lead doctor in the Free State Smile Weeks, said the initiative is an opportunity to tell people that there is help available for children with medical problems like cleft lips and palates, Moebius syndrome, burns, and other facial conditions.
“Parents should seek medical help. The sooner medical intervention can be done, the better the chances of children achieving normal goals.”
The Smile Foundation has been partnering with academic hospitals across South Africa for over 25 years, working with medical teams to reduce surgery backlogs, provide psychosocial support for families, and ensure sustainable capacity building within the healthcare system.
