The HOPE Foundation will host another international Operation Smile mission at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City , Feb. 22 to March 2, 2008, Edith Villanueva said yesterday.

Villanueva, vice chairperson of Operational Smile Phils., said the organization had successful missions in the cities of Naga, Davao , and Makati in November with more than 500 beneficiaries.

Free physical examinations were provided to patients and children born with cleft lips and cleft palates were given free surgical treatment during the mission, conducted to mark the 25 th anniversary of the World Journey of Smiles, an OpSmile press release said.

The missions in the Philippines were simultaneous with that in 25 countries were the Operation Smile has established its program. Worldwide 7,320 patients and 4,149 children born with cleft lips and palates were provided with surgical treatment.

For the anniversary year, the organization put emphasis on capacity-building and helping its partner countries achieve self-sufficiency, the press release said.

This year, Operation Smile launched Comprehensive Care Centers in Colombia , Honduras , Vietnam , China and Morocco , and forged agreements to build additional Centers in the Philippines , Brazil and India .

With the facilities established in the country partners, Operation Smile will be able to provide in-country, year-round, multidisciplinary, team care by Operation Smile-trained professionals in surgical treatment, post-operative follow-up, and dental and speech therapy.

The organization is optimistic that the launching of the Operation Smile centers will result to a significant increase in the number of children who can be treated annually, the press release said.*

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