Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: Families residing in Bulawayo and rural Matabeleland now have access to cleft lip surgeries for their infants closer to home, thanks to Operation of Hope. From May 4 to 12, the organization is providing free surgeries at Mpilo Hospital, eliminating the need for parents to travel to Harare.

Southern Zimbabwe’s public hospitals lack the specialized medical personnel required for such procedures, forcing families to undertake the arduous journey to the capital.

Jennifer Trubenbach, CEO of Operation of Hope, voiced concerns over the plight of Matabeleland parents who previously had to seek treatment for their infants in Harare. Recognizing the challenges they faced, the organization extended its services to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo.

“We observed that patients were traveling from Victoria Falls to Harare for treatment while we were at Sally Mugabe Hospital,” Trubenbach explained. “In an effort to alleviate their travel burden, we accepted the invitation to work with Mpilo Hospital.”

The collaboration between Operation of Hope and Mpilo Hospital has proven fruitful, with all surgeries provided at no cost, covering doctor’s fees, hospital charges, and medications.

Dr. Maphios Siamuchembu, the Bulawayo provincial medical director, urged local physicians to participate in the initiative to acquire vital skills. He stressed that this would ensure continued access to cleft lip surgeries for the community.