Restoring dignity and confidence

Dr François Foussadier

Dr François Foussadier, Médecins du Monde surgeon, founder and head of the Opération Sourire campaign, looks back at the past 15 years of Opération Sourire.

“In the countries where we carry out work, surgery is often seen as something to be used only in an emergency. The idea of performing surgery on an adult or child for functional or morphological reasons has sometimes been dismissed as a waste of time by our local colleagues. It is only after they have seen the results that they really understand to what extent these operations can transform patients’ lives. That is something you can only grasp by seeing the smiles on the faces of parents of children coming out of the operating theatre.

Opération Sourire’s biggest success has of course been with the patients themselves. You only need look at the number of patients who have been given a new lease of life and broken out of the exclusion to which their deformity had condemned them. Many are now married, educated and have found work. Our satisfaction and success stems from seeing them over the course of our missions.

What is more, the surgeons we have trained over the years have acquired skills that are highly valued in their country and they can now treat fellow citizens suffering from diseases completely unknown in the West. Our technical and cultural differences mean they in turn have taught us a lot through our cooperation with local teams. In the majority of areas, we have struck up real friendships and ties.

It is rewarding to see that many of the people involved in the Opération Sourire campaign from France and around the world—doctors, anaesthetists and nurses—have stayed with the programme. The internet allows them to stay in constant contact with local teams. They even discuss some cases ahead of time to make sure they are fully prepared, particularly in terms of the equipment needed, and provide remote consultations to ensure the best possible recruitment and follow-up. It is a real learning curve. Seeing the patients who come through their operations, the surgeons who improve their skills and independence, passing on their knowledge even without our involvement... that is something that keeps us coming back for more.”

COPYRIGHT : Catherine Henriette