Growing up disfigured has a huge impact on the lives of children. Just look at these statistics.
Every 3 minutes, a child with a cleft and lip palate is born. In the Philippines, 1 in 500 children born has a cleft and lip palate condition, a gap in the mouth that did not close during the early stages of pregnancy.
Every year, about 4,500 Filipino babies are born with this condition.
As a mother, I can already imagine how this will affect children with this deformity. Very low self-esteem. Huge possibility that the child will grow up being bullied. Malnutrition, due to the inability to eat well. Poor social interaction. Limited job opportunities.
Organizations like Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) have helped children with this condition since 1982 with medical missions participated in by doctors and other medical and non-medical volunteers. For the last nine years, Watsons Philippines has partnered with OSP and, in the process, transformed the lives of 1,986 patients. This year, Watsons once again partners with OSP as part of its mission to Look Good, Do Good, Feel Good.
The partnership was paused in 2020 due to the pandemic, according to Viki Encarnacion, PR & Sustainability Director of Watsons. However, this year, they are back with Smile For Good. Watsons Philippines’ aim is bring 10,000 smiles to children, with the help of Operation Smile. This partnership also includes educating the public and raising awareness about cleft lip/palate conditions.
Aside from partnering with Operation Smile, Watsons Philippines is engaging with its employees, strategic partners, and customers contributing time and financial support in order to sponsor as many free surgical missions to continue changing lives, one smile at a time. Aided by technology, Watsons Philippines pharmacists and employee volunteers will conduct hygiene orientation seminars online for the patients’ families on the subject of post-operation feeding, oral and lip care. Watsons will also provide Hygiene Care Kits with oral and hand care products to the 50 kids post-operation.
Correcting cleft lip/palate conditions in children is not going to be just a cosmetic improvement. It will totally change the life of each and every child. It will give him a future; it will give him hope.