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Operation Smile: access to reconstructive surgery in Fez

This dossier follows Operation Smile Morocco's free surgical mission in Fez and documented outcomes for people with cleft lip or palate.

Last updated : 2 key moments

Where things stand

As of 1 November 2026, 109 children have been selected for surgery after 171 examinations, according to MAP. This is not a tally of completed operations.

Fez: 109 children selected for Operation Smile’s free surgery

In Fez, 109 children were selected for surgery after 171 candidates were examined, according to a selection tally reported on 1 November 2026 by MAP through Hespress.

Stethoscope, medical illustration.
Generic illustration from 2024; no children depicted. Ryan Kissinger / NIAID, public domain. — Ryan Kissinger / NIAID / NIH BioArt 501 / Wikimedia Commons — domaine public, 2024, sans modification.

The programme exceeds its initial target of 90 beneficiaries. The number selected is not a count of completed operations.

On-site reporting by Rassd Al Maghrebe describes the pathway at Al Ghassani hospital from admission and examinations through surgical preparation and follow-up. It documents the mission’s organisation without establishing a final surgical tally.

Sources 3

Fez: free surgical mission targets around 90 patients

Operation Smile Morocco is organising a mission at Fez's Al Ghassani hospital from 30 October to 4 November 2026, according to Hespress and reporting by Rassd Al Maghrebe.

Street in the Fez mellah.
Fez, April 2011. Geographic archive; does not depict the hospital or patients. puffin11k / Wikimedia Commons, CC0. — puffin11k / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ — photographie du 20 avril 2011, sans modification.

The association targets around 90 children and young adults with cleft lip or palate. Assessments are scheduled for 30 October, surgery for 31 October–3 November and postoperative checks for 4 November.

Volunteers support the programme alongside the Health Ministry and territorial health group. The target is not a verified count of patients operated on.

Sources 3