Surgery with a smile

Posted on 08 Oct 2024

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

A collaborative effort between Australian and Filipino doctors has changed the lives of children suffering from major facial deformities.

Operation Smile has helped the families of children in the Philippines in desperate need of surgery to overcome significant barriers including financial constraints and lack of medical access.

They include children such as John Brylle, aged eight, who has faced severe bullying due to his facial appearance.

The harassment was so intense he was forced to stay home from school.

After John underwent the operation to improve his appearance he so desperately wanted to improve appearance, his grandmother, Jocelyn, was in tears at the positive impact it would have on the young boy’s life.

“I just want him to live a normal life,” she said.

“I am so grateful. God bless Operation Smile.”

“Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to the care they need, regardless of their background.”

Operation Smile co-founder Dr Richard Lewandowski.

Surgery with a smile: Dr Lewandowski and Dr Santos.

The Philippines surgical program was pioneered by Dr Richard Lewandowski, based in Brisbane, and Dr Hector Santos, a consultant at Manila’s East Avenue Medical Center, who have been friends for more than 30 years.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer these surgeries to children, like John Brylle, who deserve a chance to live free from the stigma of facial deformities,” said Dr. Lewandowski, a craniofacial and reconstructive surgeon who co-founded Operation Smile Australia with his wife, Sue, in 1999.

In the years since, they have helped thousands of children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities in developing countries.

“Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to the care they need, regardless of their background,” said Dr Lewandowski.

Operation Smile Australia, Operation Smile Philippines and East Avenue Medical Center have just completed the second year of a five-year partnership.

It is hoped that by the end of the program, after medical volunteers have trained local specialists, the medical centre will be able to manage the surgeries itself.

“We look forward to many more Filipino children receiving safe and life-changing surgery as a result of this program,’’ said Dr Santos.