Apr 2012 Speaker Per Hall, reconstructive surgeon - Operation Smile

Per Hall a reconstructive surgeon at Addenbrookes Cambridge specialising in the repair of cleft palates and cleft lips was first attracted to working with Operation Smile  in 2008. He has now made several visits to Ethiopia and India with the UK charity.  The operations help reinstate the dignity and self confidence of affected people mostly young children and removes the serious social stigma which those affected have to live with.

The earlier visits were made up of large teams, up to 40, covering all the necessary specialities. The emphasis on the last, and for future miossions, is on training local surgeons and trying to establish the necessary equipment to enable them to continue.  He said "I was astonished at their surgical skill"  and hopes it might be possible for Rotary club's to consider supporting the project in Jimma in Ethiopia, when discussing projects for funding next year.  "Jimma"  is named after the largest city in southwestern Ethiopia. It's a special zone of the Oromia Region.

Speaker host R Webster