OPÉRATION SOURIRE

Médecins du Monde France’s Opération Sourire (Operation Smile) programme has been organising plastic and reconstructive surgery missions in Asia and Africa since 1989. The programme’s objective is to put a smile back on the faces of people - especially children and young adults - affected by congenital or acquired medical disorders. Three other members of MdM’s network contribute to Opération Sourire: Médecins du Monde Germany, Médecins du Monde Japan and Médecins du Monde Netherlands.

Initially 15 missions were scheduled for 2020, in seven countries: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. Unfortunately, the scale and instability of the COVID-19 health crisis, combined with the travel restrictions in application in both the Médecins du Monde network and the host countries, made it impossible to meet this schedule and only two missions were actually carried out: one in Pakistan and the other in Tanzania. Thanks to four medical volunteers, 21 patients received surgery in each of these two countries, most of them having suffered burns or very disabling facial deformities.

The medical procedures carried out as part of Opération Sourire help patients regain their self-confidence and facilitate their social and physical reintegration into their communities. All our teams work on a long-term basis and in conjunction with local partners (hospitals, associations, reintegration specialists, etc.). BREAKDOWN OF THE CONDITIONS TREATED

Congenital conditions (malformations) : 5% Scarring (burns) : 64% Others : 31%

More than half of the patients operated on were under the age of 20. Most of the surgical procedures carried out in Pakistan and Tanzania in 2020 was performed on patients with intentional or accidental burns.

MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF OPÉRATION SOURIRE

Opération Sourire is a humanitarian surgical programme that addresses needs for plastic and reconstructive surgery in different intervention countries. In addition to the surgery performed, the project also includes skills transfer, the management of complex pathologies and patient follow-up and reintegration.

Since 1989, more than 17,500 patients have undergone surgery in ten different countries.

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Eight surgical missions have been scheduled for 2021, four of which will be carried out by Médecins du Monde France.

PROFILE OF THE PATIENTS OPERATED ON IN 2020

A total of 42 patients underwent surgery during the two missions carried out by the Médecins du Monde international network in 2020 (Médecins du Monde France in Pakistan and Médecins du Monde Netherlands in Tanzania).

COORDINATION

Volunteer members: Dr Isabelle Barthélémy, Dr François Foussadier and Dr Frédéric Lauwers Headquarters : Adem Bah

PROGRAMME COUNTRIES

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania BUDGET

€300,000

PARTNER

Fondation d’entreprise L’Oréal