Susannah Schaefer, CEO of Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, visited Dubai with the goal of strengthening the organization’s partnerships and network in the Middle East and its sub-regions.
Speaking about the reason behind her recent trip to Dubai, Schaefer said: “At Smile Train, we envision a world where every person has access to high-quality comprehensive cleft care and is able to live a full and healthy life. This certainly includes cleft-affected people in the UAE and across the MENA region. I’m here to continue the forward momentum. The goal is to build on the strong foundation laid more than two decades ago. We’ve been working with local experts to address the needs of cleft-affected children and families across the Middle East since 2003, when we launched our first surgical programs in Pakistan.
"During this visit, I had an opportunity to meet with some of our partners and discuss techniques and strategies to reach more people in need. And just as important, help ensure those individuals have timely, effective and quality care. I met with the CEO of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC), Giuseppe Saba. Our partnership with IHC is invaluable as it helps us serve thousands of children born with a cleft within the MENA region, as well as continue to manage our operations from Dubai. I also had the opportunity to meet with other supporters and partners including Dr. Raza Siddiqui, the CEO of Arabian Healthcare (the holding company of RAK Hospital), local charities in the UAE, student and other ambassadors. We all share a common goal – ensuring that every baby born with a cleft has the care they deserve.”
Plans in region
“The support and the partnerships Smile Train has developed throughout the MENA region have changed so many lives. We’re grateful for the community we’ve found here and for the medical professionals we work with to ensure that every cleft-affected person has access to the care they need,” said Schaefer.
Patient safety is Smile Train’s top priority, as is enabling all of their regional partner hospitals to provide the highest standard of care for all. This goal is an ever-moving target, and Smile Train understands that hitting it will require constant education and training for cleft teams; investments in infrastructure, technology, and equipment for our partner hospitals; strong relationships with families and communities; and continuing communication, collaboration, and prioritization among all stakeholders.
“Over the coming months and years, our focus will be on working hand-in-hand with our partners and communities throughout the MENA region to identify gaps and challenges, find solutions, and ensure that every cleft-affected person and family has access to the highest standard of care. We’ll also work alongside our partners to raise awareness and reach communities. We’ll be using a lot of different strategies, including working with our Student Ambassadors, medical and corporate partners, media contacts, press team, and ambassadors, and continually building our network of advocates and champions within the region. This is a message that can change – and even save – lives,” she added
Commenting on the expectation of the Smile Train team in the MENA region and the organization’s significant plans or strategies set for this region, Schaefer said: “The support and the partnerships Smile Train has experienced throughout the MENA region has changed so many lives. We’re grateful for the community we’ve found here and for the medical professionals we work with to ensure that every cleft-affected person has access to the care they need. When it comes to any kind of medical care, but especially surgical care, it’s essential to consider not only whether children and families have access to care, but whether they have access to care that is safe and high-quality.
"At Smile Train, our first priority is patient safety and enabling our partners to provide the highest quality of care for every patient. That’s why we partner with outstanding medical centers that share the same commitment to excellence, like RAK—-but safety and quality of care is an ever-moving target that requires on-going education and training, investments in infrastructure, technology, and equipment, working with families and communities, and constant communication, collaboration, and prioritization. Over the coming months and years, our focus will be on working hand-in-hand with our partners and communities throughout the MENA region to identify gaps and challenges, find solutions, and ensure that every cleft-affected person and family has access to the highest standard of care. We’ll also work alongside our partners to raise awareness and reach communities. We’ll be using a lot of different strategies, including working with our student ambassadors, our medical and corporate partners, our media contacts, our press team, our celebrity ambassadors, and continually building our network of advocates and champions within the region. This is a message that can change–and even save–lives.”
If you would like more information about Smile Train's global efforts, wish to refer a patient to one of our regional partners, or make a donation to support cleft care across the Middle East, please visit smiletraindubai.org or @smiletraindubai on Instagram.
