Surgeons operate on child cleft patients at Gudele General Hospital| By Wol Mapal

ASK Foundation, in partnership with South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, Gudele General Hospital and German humanitarian medical organization Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe e.V., has launched a four-day free cleft lip and cleft palate surgery campaign aimed at transforming the lives of children born with the condition.

The surgical outreach, which began on Wednesday at Gudele General Hospital in Juba, is expected to benefit about 20 children from Juba and other parts of South Sudan by providing free corrective surgery, medication, pre- and post-operative care, and follow-up treatment.

The campaign seeks to improve the lives of children living with cleft lip and cleft palate, congenital conditions that can affect feeding, speech, hearing and self-esteem if left untreated.

The launch ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Health, medical professionals and international partners working to expand access to specialized surgical care in South Sudan.

Speaking during the launch, ASK Foundation Executive Director Deng Arop Mawien described the initiative as an investment in the country’s future.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to smile, eat, speak and live with dignity. Through this partnership with the Ministry of Health, Deutsche Cleft Kinderhilfe and our local hospitals, we are giving children born with cleft conditions a second chance at life. We remain committed to ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent families from accessing this life-changing surgery,” Deng said.

The Medical Director of Al Sabah Children’s Hospital, Dr. Justin, urged parents to seek treatment as early as possible, emphasizing that cleft conditions involve far more than appearance.

“A cleft lip or palate is more than a cosmetic condition. It affects nutrition, speech, hearing and a child’s overall development. Early surgical intervention can transform a child’s future, and we encourage families to seek treatment as soon as possible,” he said.

The Medical Director of Gudele General Hospital said the facility was honored to host the outreach and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality surgical care while strengthening local medical expertise.

“We are honored to host this important surgical outreach at Gudele General Hospital. Our team is working closely with our international partners to provide safe, quality care while strengthening the skills of our local health professionals,” she said.

The President of the South Sudan Paediatric Association used the occasion to highlight broader challenges facing child healthcare, citing shortages of children’s wards, pediatric intensive care units and essential medical equipment. He called for greater investment in specialized pediatric services to improve health outcomes across the country.

Leading the team of volunteer specialists, German cleft surgeon Dr. Oliver said the mission aimed not only to restore children’s smiles but also to strengthen local capacity to manage cleft conditions in the future.

“It is a privilege to work alongside our South Sudanese colleagues to restore hope to these children and their families. Every successful operation changes not only a child’s appearance but also their ability to eat, speak and interact confidently with others. We also hope to share knowledge and strengthen local capacity for future cleft care,” he said.

Organizers described the collaboration between local health institutions and international medical partners as an important step toward improving access to specialized surgical services in South Sudan.

The campaign, which runs until July 4, targets children of all ages living with cleft lip and/or cleft palate.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated one in every 700 babies worldwide is born with a cleft lip, cleft palate or both. The condition occurs when a baby’s upper lip or the roof of the mouth fails to fuse completely during early pregnancy and can affect feeding, speech, hearing and breathing if left untreated.

Medical experts say corrective surgery, often performed within the first year of life, can significantly improve a child’s health, development and quality of life.

However, limited specialist services, financial constraints and low public awareness mean many children in South Sudan miss timely treatment.