HERALD

US-BASED Operation of Hope has embarked on its seventh programme in Zimbabwe to assist children with cleft lip and palate conditions.

Dr Joe Clawson is leading the team of doctors, nurses and various assistants comprising of 17 health professionals.

The team started operating children on Monday at St Anne’s Hospital with eight undergoing successful operations.

Operation of Hope executive director Ms Jennifer Trubenbach said they were targeting at least 70 children.

"We have 70 children at hand who need to be operated and we hope that by the end of our visit in two weeks time, we would have undertaken the operations successfully."

Most of the children to be operated on are referrals from provincial hospitals around Zimbabwe.

Two-year-old Rutendo Chinodya from Hurungwe had a successful palate operation on Monday and is expected to leave the hospital in two days.

Mrs Elizabeth Mutukwa, whose four-month-old son Wonderful was also operated on, expressed gratitude for the programme.

"I never expected that my child would get help and many thanks to Operation of Hope for helping these innocent souls.

"Now my son can eat properly and grow up healthy."

The team said it would return in October this year.

The organisation is working with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and has urged people to disseminate information on its mission to rural areas.