Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused charity, has reaffirmed its dedication to training medical professionals and providing free cleft surgeries across the MENA region. Celebrating ten years since the opening of its Dubai office, the organization has significantly impacted the lives of over 640,000 individuals affected by cleft conditions.
Smile Train’s recent report, ‘Smile Train at 25: $69 Billion in Impact’, highlights the global economic benefits of their work, amounting to $69 billion in over 90 countries. This initiative has given patients a combined 12 million productive years of their lives back.
Operating in 13 countries within the region, including Egypt, India, and Pakistan, Smile Train has made remarkable strides. Between 2001 and 2023, the organization performed over 10,000 surgeries in Egypt, contributing $645 million to the economy. In India, 528,065 surgeries were conducted, generating $16.6 billion in economic benefits. Similarly, in Pakistan, 91,262 people benefited from surgeries, adding $2.5 billion to the national economy.
Afaf Meky, Executive Manager of Smile Train UAE, emphasized the organization’s ongoing mission: “Our goal has always been to improve children’s lives, and this remains true today. We have conducted over 640,000 surgeries for cleft-affected individuals in the MENA region, positively impacting national economies and training medical professionals.”
By being based in Dubai, Smile Train has benefited from the UAE’s commitment to global humanitarian efforts. The organization aims to continue sponsoring safe, high-quality, and free cleft surgeries while empowering local doctors through training and education.
A cleft occurs when body parts and structures fail to fuse during fetal development, affecting an estimated 200,000+ babies globally each year. Since its establishment in 1999, Smile Train has awarded over $38 million in education and training grants to medical professionals, supported more than 600,000 families with funding for cleft care, and collaborated with over 6,000 partner surgeons and 4,000 partner healthcare centers.
As Smile Train looks to the future, its commitment to expanding cleft surgeries and supporting local economies in the MENA region remains steadfast.
