The Accra cleft mission exemplified Alliance for Smiles’ commitment to sustainable, locally driven healthcare solutions. In collaboration with Greater Accra Regional Hospital, all clinical activities were conducted using locally available resources and in close partnership with local medical staff.
From patient assessment and surgical preparation to treatment, postoperative care, and follow-up, the local team played a vital and active role at every stage of cleft care. Lead surgeon Dr. Chris Zarella worked entirely alongside his local counterpart, Dr. Charles Asiedu, and the local Ghanaian medical staff throughout the mission.
This collaborative approach reflects the growing strength and maturity of Alliance for Smiles’ cleft program. By building local capacity, transferring skills and knowledge, and reducing dependence on visiting teams, Alliance for Smiles is helping create a model of cleft care that is both sustainable and scalable.
The expertise, dedication, and leadership of the local team were critical to the mission’s success, as was the support of our local partners and Rotary Club members there, all of whom will help ensure that access to quality cleft care continues in their community long after the mission ends.
