US volunteer surgeons to perform face surgery in Africa

A team of 1,000 volunteer surgeons will undertake in the first two weeks of next march a humanitarian mission in Morocco, called "World Journey of Hope'99" to perform operations on children suffering from cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

The medical team's visit is part of the "Smile" operation initiated by US plastic surgery specialist William P. Magee and his wife Kathy. They will undertake a nine-week mission to south American countries, devastated by Mitch hurricane, before flying to Casablanca, Europe, the Middle East (Gaza) and Asia. They will be assisted by local surgeons. A Flying-hospital will be carrying medical equipment, staff, supplies and medicine.

In addition to performing surgery, the mission will also train local professionals on new surgery techniques. The operation was launched Thursday at the UN head offices in New York in the presence of secretary general Kofi Annan.

In 17 years of existence, the organization has treated over 45,000 patients, supplied over $ 28 million annually of medicare and trained more than 1,000 surgeons and medicaids all over the world.

A similar mission was undertaken by a team of 42 US volunteer surgeons last July.