International volunteer medical team to operate children in Tangiers

An international volunteer medical team specialized in child face surgery is on an assignment in the Moroccan northern city of Tangiers, at the initiative of "Operation Smile" NGO.

The mission, visiting the city until next April 4, comprises a team of 70 volunteers (surgeons, anesthetists and paramedics) with the collaboration of Moroccan volunteer health professionals.

It is targeting a minimum of 150 children who will undergo various lips, nose and face bones operations in addition to plastic surgery for children suffering burning scars.

Moroccan surgeons will also undergo a training in the state of Virginia to carry on the mission for children who were not covered by the campaign.

Operation Smile is a private, not-for-profit volunteer medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States. It provides education and training around the world to physicians and other health professionals to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

Operation Smile, based in Norfolk, Virginia, brings together health professionals with the public and private sectors to provide voluntary care to improve the quality of life for the children, families and communities that share in the Operation Smile experience. By creating international partnerships, Operation Smile builds trust, bridges cultures and bestows dignity at home and abroad.

The Moroccan branch, set up in 1998, has conducted surgery campaigns in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir and Oujda.