Operation Smile Panama inaugurated a new comprehensive care center this Thursday in the Llanos de Curundú neighborhood of Panama City. The nonprofit foundation invested over $800,000 to establish the dignified facility, which will provide free specialized care for children with cleft lip and palate conditions. This expansion significantly enhances the organization’s ability to serve patients across the country who require complex reconstructive surgery and multidisciplinary support.
The new center features six consultation rooms dedicated to orthodontics, dentistry, speech therapy, pediatrics, nutrition, and psychology. All services are offered at zero cost to patients and their families. For 35 years, Operation Smile Panama has relied on a fully Panamanian volunteer base of medical professionals to carry out its mission. The organization has treated more than 5,020 patients and performed over 7,000 reconstructive surgeries through 80 surgical programs since its inception.
“Every service, from the initial evaluation to post-surgical follow-up, is completely free, eliminating economic barriers for families,” said María Elena Berberian. [Translated from Spanish]
The foundation operates on the statistic that approximately one in every 700 children is born with a cleft lip and palate. Panama registers between 80 and 120 new cases annually. The organization’s stated commitment is to reach every single one. To that end, it will host a patient intake day this Saturday, February 28, at the new location. Families who know a child with the condition are encouraged to visit the Curundú center for a direct referral.
A Lifelong Journey of Care
Support from Operation Smile begins at birth. The foundation provides special feeding bottles and critical guidance to parents on managing the condition, which can present immediate risks of choking and respiratory problems. Care continues through a patient’s first surgery at six months old and extends all the way to final interventions like rhinoplasty during teenage years.
This holistic process is meticulously designed to restore a child’s smile and confidence. The ultimate goal is to enable children to return to school without fear of bullying. The comprehensive model addresses not just the physical repair but the psychological and social challenges that often accompany a facial difference.
The inauguration of this nuevo centro marks a pivotal investment in Panama’s pediatric healthcare infrastructure. It centralizes essential specialties under one roof, streamlining care for vulnerable families. The opening reinforces the foundation’s long-term pledge to health and wellbeing, ensuring children receive complete and compassionate treatment that genuinely transforms lives.