Physical Health Pakistan Project #54416

Restore Smiles of Cleft Patients

by Al-Mustafa Welfare Society

Project Report | Apr 17, 2026
103 Life-Changing Surgeries by Al-Mustafa Cleft Program

By Sarah Ahmed | Project Leader

Al-Mustafa Welfare Society continues its mission of providing free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to underprivileged children across Pakistan. For families burdened by poverty, these life-changing surgeries offer not only physical healing but renewed dignity, confidence, and hope for the future.

During this quarter, the program sustained a high volume of surgeries while ensuring comprehensive pre- and post-operative care for every child.

Surgeries Performed (Quarterly Data)

November 2025:8
December 2025:30
January 2026:33
February 2026:32
Total:103 children treated

Types of Surgeries Conducted

Cleft lip surgeries: 55
Cleft lip & palate surgeries: 48
Total surgical procedures: 103

In addition, laboratory investigations of 103 patients were also conducted to ensure surgical safety and optimal outcomes.

Comprehensive Patient Care

Beyond surgery, each child received a full spectrum of free services, including:

Preoperative consultations
Diagnostic tests (CBC, LFT, RFT, PT/INR, viral markers, X-ray if required)
Dental examinations
Anesthesia evaluation
Postoperative monitoring, medicines, and follow-up care

A small number of cases were postponed due to medical reasons such as low hemoglobin, infections, viral markers, or insufficient weight, reflecting the program’s strict patient safety standards.

Age Group Distribution of Beneficiaries

1–12 months: 41 children
1–5 years: 46 children
6–10 years: 8 children
11–15 years: 3 children
16–20 years: 3 children

The majority of beneficiaries were infants and young children, where early intervention has the greatest long-term impact.

Success Story: Baby Atiqa (6 Months Old)

Baby Atiqa was born with a cleft lip into a family struggling with severe financial hardship in Malir, Karachi. Unable to afford treatment, the family approached AlMustafa Hospital seeking help.

She underwent free cleft lip surgery after a complete preoperative assessment. The procedure was successful, and she was discharged in stable condition within two days.

Impact:

Feeding and breathing improved significantly
Facial appearance restored
Risk of future social stigma reduced
Family relieved of emotional and financial stress

Her parents expressed profound gratitude for the compassionate, free care that transformed their child’s life.

This quarter, 103 children received the gift of a smile—and with it, a chance at a healthier, more confident future. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our donors.

Your generosity does not just fund surgeries—it restores futures.

With gratitude,

AlMustafa Welfare Society – Cleft Program

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Dec 2, 2025
Your Gift in Action: How Surgery Changed Utehba's Life

By Sarah Ahmed | Project Leader

For three-year-old Utehba, every meal was a struggle. For her mother, every feeding session was filled with anxiety, a race against poor nutrition, and a silent worry about her daughter’s future. Born with a cleft palate, Utehba faced challenges that went far beyond a medical condition; they touched the very basics of childhood: eating, growing, and the hope of one day speaking clearly.

Her family, like so many, loved deeply but had limited means. The specialised surgery she needed felt out of reach, a dream they could not afford. The stress was constant, the fear a daily companion.

Then, they found Al-Mustafa Hospital.

What followed was more than a procedure. It was a journey of support. The family was guided every step of the way, from compassionate counselling and feeding training, through the skilled surgery, and into careful recovery. The hospital’s Cleft team didn’t just treat a condition; they cared for a family, lifting an impossible financial and emotional burden.

Today, the transformation is profound. Where there was struggle, there is now ease. Utehba feeds better, grows stronger, and her eyes sparkle with playful energy. Her mother’s anxiety has been replaced by radiant hope—hope that her daughter will speak, eat, and laugh just like any other child.

“The care was amazing,” Utehba’s mother shares, her voice filled with emotion. “They showed us so much kindness. They gave us our daughter’s future.”

Utehba is now a beacon of resilience. Her story is not just about a successful surgery; it’s about restored confidence, renewed possibility, and the powerful difference compassion can make. Because of you, a little girl is ready to take on the world, and a family has been given the most precious gift of all: hope.

Thank you for turning fear into a future full of smiles.

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Jul 29, 2025
67 Gifts of Smile Delivered, Thanks to You!

By Sarah Ahmed | Project Leader

Can you spot the transformation of this cheery boy and adorable baby girl? Who used to suffer from feeding and speaking issues, but not anymore, Alhamdolillah.

We are thrilled to share the incredible impact of your generosity through the Al-Mustafa Cleft Project over the past quarter. Thanks to your unwavering support, we have continued to restore hope, dignity, and smiles to children and families affected by cleft lip and palate in Pakistan. Below are the highlights of our achievements from March to June 2025:

1. Lives Transformed Through Surgery

During this quarter, 67 children and adults received life-changing cleft surgeries, bringing the total number of patients treated since January 2025 to 104. Each surgery not only heals physical deformities but also opens doors to a brighter future, free from stigma and full of possibilities.

2. Comprehensive Care Beyond Surgery

Our mission goes beyond surgical interventions. We provide holistic care to ensure every patient receives the best possible treatment, including:

Pre- and post-operative diagnostics (67 cases)
Dental treatments and consultations (335 services)
Specialised care for postponed cases (10 admissions)

These services ensure that patients are healthy before surgery and recover fully afterwards, maximising the long-term success of each procedure.

3. Reaching the Youngest and Most Vulnerable

Cleft conditions can be especially challenging for infants and young children. This quarter, we prioritised early intervention, with:

43 infants (1-12 months), given a chance at normal feeding and development.
11 children (1-5 years), enabled to speak, eat, and smile confidently.
Older children and teens (6-20 years) also received life-altering care, ensuring no age group is left behind.

4. Breakdown of Surgical Treatments

Cleft Lip Surgeries: 48
Cleft Lip & Palate Surgeries: 19
Lab Investigations Conducted: 77

Additionally, 335 consultations and follow-ups were provided, ensuring continuous care and monitoring for all patients.

None of this would be possible without your compassion and support. Every donation brings us closer to a world where no child suffers from untreated cleft conditions. As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding our reach, improving access to care, and transforming even more lives.

A heartfelt thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are not just fixing smiles, we are rebuilding futures.

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