Over a decade, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital through her Burns, Plastics and Reconstructive surgery department have provided medical expertise for SMILETRAIN International in delivering free cleft and palate surgery for children and adults.
SMILETRAIN is an international NGO dedicated to providing specialized healthcare to cleft and palate patients. They are present in 90 countries across the globe. SMILETRAIN is proud to support the development of safe surgical infrastructure through an innovative collaboration with KIDSor her partner NGO, investing in Paediatric Operating room facilities, which will enable the long term delivery of world class cleft lip and palate treatment. This collaboration is for selected hospitals who have partnered with SMILETRAIN over the years.
As part of the ongoing process, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital is one of the beneficiaries of this initiative. SMILETRAIN is domiciled in the Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery department and thus coordinating the surgical and administrative activities.
On the 21st of May, 2024, the department received Medical Equipments as well as consumables to furnish the Paediatric Operating room to International standard, a specialized theatre for children surgeries.
since it’s program in UPTH the SMILETRAIN team have continued the sponsorship mostly targeted for paediatric cases to correct birth defects in the cleft and pilate area of the child, as reported cases of stigmatization in our society still exist in our society.
The donation as highlighted by the international NGO is aimed at enhancing the center’s (UPTH’ Regional Burns center- Plastics and Reconstructive surgery) capacity to provide quality care to patients, especially in children with the need for reconstructive ( cleft and palate) surgeries.
The equipments donated for the theatre includes; Advanced surgical light, High quality monitoring system, Specialized surgical instruments, Anesthetic machines, Mobile operating light bundle, Oxygen concentrator, Emergency trolley, Standard surgical gowns and lots more.
The new equipments will enhance the Centre capacity to perform complex surgeries, improve safety and reduce complications and also support the training and development of health care professionals.
Representing the Head of Department ( HOD) of Burns and Plastic Dr. Ijeoma Onwugha, was the Secretary , Madam Gobo Alabason, who said management and the department is incredibly grateful to Smile Train for donating the equipments for the kids Operating Room, the generosity, commitment to improving the lives of young patients, quality care and treatment to children with reconstructive surgery needs.
The donation as she relates is a game- changer for the Center. While expressing immense appreciation to SmileTrain commitment in supporting healthcare development in Nigeria.
Also speaking, a senior registrar in Burns and plastic Dr. Tammy Alison said, the equipments donated by Smile Train is a welcome development, which will help to provide optimal care for their patients.
Present to take delivery and appropriate documentation was the procurement officer in Burns and Plastic Alaye Jack, noting that the donation from Kids Operating Room by Smile Train is a huge relief to the Centre, affirming that they are state- of- the -art equipment and will enable the hospital to provide care that is at par with International standards.
Part of the set up of the Kidor is the hands on training on equipment for the components of medical professionals which includes Doctors, Oral maxillofacial surgeons, Anaesthetics,, Nurses, etc. who carry out successful reconstructive cleft and palate surgeries.
The Professor Henry A.A. Ugboma led management have maintained the partnership with SmileTrain International and provided the medical expertise and clinical space that have recorded hundreds of successful surgical repairs for cleft and palates birth defects specially for paediatric cases with all expenses covered for patients.
