An international volunteer medical team under the banner Operation of Hope has transformed the lives of dozens of Zimbabwean patients, after conducting 86 reconstructive surgeries during a two-week mission at Mpilo Central Hospital.
This is Operation of Hope Worldwide’s 48th surgical outreach in Zimbabwe.
The surgical mission, held from May 2 to May 16, brought together 36 volunteer medical specialists from the United States, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and Canada to provide free cleft lip, cleft palate, burn and facial reconstructive surgeries to vulnerable patients.
Leading the mission was Jennifer Trubenbach, who said the organisation remained committed to restoring dignity and hope to underserved communities through life-changing surgical care.
“Operation of Hope Worldwide is a volunteer medical team that has changed the lives of more than 6 000 children around the world,” said Trubenbach.
“Each year, we travel to developing countries to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries as well as other facial reconstructive procedures for people in need. All care is provided at no cost to the patients and their families.”
Founded in 1989, the organisation has expanded its work beyond cleft surgeries to include neonatal care, prosthetic hands and burn surgeries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Trubenbach said neither she nor the organisation’s founder had ever drawn a salary from the charity.
The Bulawayo mission utilised two operating theatres at Mpilo Hospital and involved a multidisciplinary team that included four board-certified surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, paediatric specialists and support volunteers. Zimbabwean maxillofacial surgeon Wayne Manana served as the local coordinator.
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Among the procedures carried out were six cleft lip surgeries, six cleft palate surgeries, 58 lipoma removals, five burn surgeries and several complex reconstructive operations, including jaw reconstruction, hand burn contracture repairs, cyst removals and nose reconstruction procedures.
Some of the operations lasted as long as nine hours and required two surgeons working simultaneously in one theatre.
The youngest patient treated during the mission was just three months old, while the oldest was 65 years old.
Beyond surgery, the mission also focused on skills transfer and medical training for local healthcare workers and students. Training was provided to nursing staff, medical and nursing students from Zimbabwe Medical School and Mater Dei Nursing School, as well as anaesthesiology and physician residents.
Trubenbach commended the support received from local institutions and corporate partners, saying the success of the mission was made possible through collaboration.
She paid tribute to Mpilo Hospital staff for assisting with screening, food provision, transport and clinical support.
“We are deeply grateful to Mpilo Hospital and its staff, including the matrons, nurses, doctors and pharmacy teams, for their dedication and partnership throughout the mission,” she said.
Support for the outreach also came from CBZ Holdings, which assisted with accommodation for volunteers, while Schweppes Zimbabwe helped with storage and transportation of medical supplies, meals, water and juice for patients and volunteers.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe assisted by sending nationwide text messages informing communities about screening days, while the Health and Child Care ministry facilitated the clearance of medical supplies and waived US$3 000 in nursing and medical registration fees.
Additional support came from Emirates, which assisted with flights for volunteers and Pharmaceutical & Chemical Distributors Limited in Harare, which donated medicine for the mission.
One of the beneficiaries, 50-year-old Bulawayo widow Sithembinkosi Banda, underwent surgery to remove a huge cheek mass that had left her living in pain and uncertainty.
“Special appreciation goes to the incredible Operation of Hope team, the doctors, nurses and the dedicated staff at Mpilo Hospital for their professionalism, care, and commitment,” Banda said.
“Through their kindness and compassion, a critical gap was bridged and hope was restored.”
Trubenbach said the success of the mission could ultimately be measured by the renewed confidence and happiness of patients and their families.
“Thank you for all your support in making this 48th surgical mission in Zimbabwe since 2006 a most successful one — and creating 86 very happy families,” she said
