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Chitungwiza Central Hospital in a programme that started last Tuesday.
Surgeons from the United States and their local counterparts conducted the operations.
At least 70 children will be operated on in the programme being conducted by the Alliance for Smiles.
Speaking at the launch of the programme at Chitungwiza Central Hospital yesterday, Secretary for Health and Child Welfare Dr Gerald Gwinji hailed the exercise and urged parents with children with such conditions to come out.
“We thank you for this exercise and we want to see its continuation in different parts of the country. This condition is not a curse, it’s a reversible condition and we are encouraging parents with children with such conditions to come out and get assistance,” he said.
Dr Gwinji said the exercise was a skills’ transfer opportunity for local doctors.
Speaking at the same occasion, Chitungwiza Central Hospital chief executive Dr Obadiah Moyo said the community had welcomed the exercise as parents came from far away provinces in search of the services.
“This is the first time Chitungwiza Hospital is doing this exercise and we are happy that people have responded very well. People came from as far as Lupane and Manicaland and it seems every province is being represented.
“The products of the surgeons we are witnessing today is a clear testimony that having a child with a cleft lip or palate is not a curse,” he said.
Mrs Tafadzwa Moyo, whose child underwent the operation, commended the surgeons.
“I am very happy because my daughter has been assisted since everyone at her school would have laughed at her,” she said.
Online Reporter