A 3 million Kwacha smile

Operation Smile Malawi is optimistic of minimising its financial challenges, if more private sector players offer it support.

The hope comes following a 3 million kwacha donation from high street National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Plc Capital City Service Centre.

In an interview with Capital FM, Operation Smile Malawi Board chairperson Haroon Sacranie hailed the bank for their support saying the finances will cater for logistics and accommodation of patients in various camps as the project continues.

He said the contribution has come in at the right time, considering that the project halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic which also meant that the demand for the services they render was increasing by the day.

The donation will aid in bringing such smiles

“Our partnership with National Bank of Malawi Capital City Service center among others, will enable us to reach out to more patients who are in dire need of cleft operation. We will consider increasing the target number of children who need cleft operation,” Sacranie said.

Over 2,000 cleft patients countrywide have benefitted from project Operation Smile Malawi since 2012and there are plans to surpass their current annual 350 patient target.

Sacranie has further revealed that they are enhancing identification of cleft lip patients, through registry at child birth in various health facilities across the country.

And speaking after the symbolic Cheque presentation at their headquarters on Monday, banks’ Centre Manager George Nyirenda said the NBM said that NBM is committed to helping as many patients as possible access free cleft surgery.

According to Nyirenda, Operation Malawi is doing a commendable job by providing free surgical services to the communities.

He said: “As a bank are concerned with the needs of people, thus our commitment to finance the costs that Operation Smile Malawi are challenged with when carrying out their initiatives in the society. We understand that they need to cover expenses despite being a charity organization,” Nyirenda added.

The program started at the Paediatric Center at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and later Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.

Meanwhile, a passionate call has been made to the Ministry of Health, and various stakeholders to help the organization to reach out to a greater number of patients who need cleft repair.