Global charities Smile Train and Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) have today commissioned the newly refurbished children’s dedicated theatre at YEKATIT 12 Hospital.
Thanking the two organizations, Minister of Health, Her Excellency Dr Liya Tadesse said: This being one of the largest hospitals in the country, we are proud of the relationship with Smile Train and KidsOR which brings safe and quality paediatric services to the community.”
Smile Train Senior Program Assistant East Africa Dr. Bethel Mulugeta acknowledged the need to prioritize surgical care for children, noting that timely intervention enhances the quality of life of the children. “Children who grow up with untreated congenital malformations such as cleft or club foot may face stigma and discrimination, unable to socialize in the community. Our collaboration with KidsOR to have pristine equipment and vibrant artwork helps the children feel more comforted and boosts the morale of the medical teams when treating children. Since our partnership with Yekatit 12 started in 2006, we have transformed the lives of over 2,047 children with cleft,” noted Dr. Bethel.