Chinese doctors provide smiles to children born with cleft lip in Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM — The 34th Chinese medical team in Tanzania recently completed five cleft lip surgeries and 19 cleft palate surgeries on children within just five days — each procedure carried out without complications — restoring health and granting the children the gift of smiles.

The surgeries were part of a five-day "Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery Week", themed "Smile Journey", organized by the Chinese medical team to improve health outcomes, share medical expertise and strengthen cooperation with Tanzanian counterparts.

Among the young patients was Ibrahim Abdulnassir Ramadhan, a 1-year-old boy from the island of Zanzibar. Born with a cleft lip, Ramadhan faced difficulties feeding and frequently cried due to discomfort. His parents had been desperately seeking help but feared they could never afford the treatment.