Dhaka: A five-day international medical mission commenced in Dhaka on Saturday, aiming to provide free reconstructive surgeries to approximately 100 children suffering from cleft lip and palate conditions, predominantly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The initiative was inaugurated by Md. Ismail Zabihullah, Adviser to the Ministry of Public Administration, at Sarkari Karmachari Hospital, serving as the chief guest for the event.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the mission is organized by SAJIDA Foundation in collaboration with Sarkari Karmachari Hospital, Smile Asia, and Dhaka Bank PLC. This initiative has gathered an international team of volunteer healthcare professionals and Bangladeshi physicians to deliver specialized and free reconstructive surgeries to children from various regions of Bangladesh. The event witnessed the participation of senior government officials, healthcare leaders, development partners, corporate representatives, and members of the international medical community, all united in their commitment to enhancing access to specialized reconstructive healthcare for children.
Distinguished guests included Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration; Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Secretary, Health Services Division; Md. A. Razzak Sarkar, Director General, Government Employees Hospital; Md. Fazlul Hoque, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SAJIDA Foundation; Osman Ershad Faiz, Managing Director of Dhaka Bank PLC; and Abhimanyu Talukdar, Secretary General of Smile Asia.
The mission, scheduled from 18 to 22 July 2026, involves 38 medical professionals from eight countries collaborating with Bangladeshi healthcare providers to carry out cleft lip and palate surgeries. The multidisciplinary team comprises plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, therapists, and other specialists, all volunteering their expertise to help children improve their ability to eat, speak, and lead healthier lives with more confidence.
In his speech at the inauguration, chief guest Md. Ismail Zabihullah expressed pride in launching such a commendable initiative, emphasizing the mission’s impact in restoring children’s smiles and confidence while alleviating parental concerns. Md. A. Razzak Sarkar, Director General of Government Employees Hospital, expressed satisfaction in collaborating again with partners, acknowledging the success of the previous year’s mission and appreciating the medical teams’ commitment from across eight countries.
Md. Fazlul Hoque, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SAJIDA Foundation, shared that through extensive coverage, over 200 patients were onboarded for this year’s mission, underscoring health as a priority sector for SAJIDA Foundation in their continued humanitarian efforts with the government and partners. Osman Ershad Faiz, Managing Director of Dhaka Bank PLC, highlighted the importance of partner dedication and support in offering new smiles to children, reiterating Dhaka Bank’s pride in supporting this humanitarian cause beyond banking operations.
Abhimanyu Talukdar, Secretary General of Smile Asia, remarked on Smile Asia’s history of completing over 500 surgeries in Bangladesh and expressed confidence in the success of this year’s mission with volunteers joining from eight countries.
Globally, cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies, affecting about one in every 500 to 600 live births. In Bangladesh, over 5,000 children are born with these conditions each year. Despite being treatable through timely surgery, many children remain untreated due to financial constraints, geographical challenges, and limited access to expert care. Untreated conditions lead to difficulties in feeding, speech development, hearing, and nutrition, adversely affecting education, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
In conjunction with the event, a call centre for Government Employees Hospital was also inaugurated to enhance patient-centered healthcare services.