Safe Surgical Aid (SSA), in collaboration with Kenya Red Cross Society, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Gift of Kindness, organized a medical and surgical camp targeting
children with cleft lip and palate at Dadaab Sub County Hospital in Dadaab. The camp, dubbed "20/20 Vision,"
aimed to provide comprehensive surgical interventions to children in need from both the refugee and host
communities in Dadaab. It is noteworthy that refugees in the camp are not allowed to leave for referral cases
unless it is an emergency, hence they often live with medical conditions until a well-wisher organizes a surgical
camp, as plastic and reconstructive surgeons are not readily available within the refugee camp.

*Camp Overview:*
The camp, originally slated to take place in November 2023, faced challenges due to heavy El Niño rains that
cut off the roads, making it impossible to conduct the medical mission. Additionally, a security incident
occurred where a vehicle was blown off by an explosive planted on the road, resulting in fatalities. Despite
these setbacks, the camp was rescheduled and successfully held from the 15th to the 19th of January 2024.
Patients were mobilized from various refugee camps with the assistance of community volunteers, Kenya Red
Cross Society, and through radio broadcasts and social media forums. A total of 45 patients benefited from the
camp, primarily undergoing lip reconstruction surgeries.

Lead Surgeon and Medical Team:
Dr. Peter Oduor, a renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon and senior lecturer in the Department of
Surgery at Egerton University and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, led the medical team. The team
consisted of skilled surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and support staff dedicated to providing high-quality surgical
care to the patients. Flights with the United Nations (UN) were arranged to transport the medical team to and
from Dadaab, ensuring their safe and timely arrival.

Financial Support:
The medical camp was generously funded by Gift of Kindness, a USA Charity Organization based in Texas,
USA. Additionally, several generous individual donors from the USA, including Susan Dib, Amin El Naggar,
www.safesurgicalaid.org
Email safesurgicalaid@gmail.com
Socials: @safesurgicalaid
Contacts: +254 724 820 241
+254 706 266 726

Rasheed Ahmed Ehab Al Deeb, Muhammad Saleh, Dr. Faiza Abaza, and Dr. Hadeel Aabaza, sponsored
surgeries, demonstrating their generosity and commitment to improving the lives of children in need.

Outcomes:
The camp successfully provided surgical interventions to 45 patients with cleft lip and palate deformities. The
majority of patients underwent lip reconstruction surgeries, aiming to correct the facial deformities and improve
their overall quality of life. Post-operative care was diligently provided to ensure optimal recovery and long-
term outcomes for the patients.
We express sincere appreciation to all partners, donors, volunteers, and medical staff who contributed to the
success of the camp, including Kenya Red Cross Society and the UNHCR. Special thanks to Gift of Kindness
and individual donors for their generous financial support, and to Dr. Peter Oduor and the medical team for their
expertise and dedication in providing surgical care to children with cleft lip and palate deformities.
Conclusion:
The "20/20 Vision" cleft lip and palate surgical camp at Dadaab Sub County Hospital exemplified the power of
collaboration and generosity in addressing complex medical conditions in underserved populations. Through the
collective efforts of stakeholders, significant strides were made in improving the health and well-being of
children in need.