Free Reconstructive Surgeries Change 54 Lives in Sylhet's Medical Mission

A 10-day medical mission in Sylhet has transformed the lives of 54 patients, most of them children. The Rotaplast initiative, held in 2026, provided free reconstructive surgeries for cleft lip, palate, facial deformities, and burns. The mission, supported by Chevron Bangladesh and local partners like the Rotary Club of Jalalabad and Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital, marked the 9th Rotaplast programme in Sylhet. Over 24 volunteers, including reconstructive plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, speech pathologists, orthodontists, and nurses, came together to perform complex surgeries at no cost to the patients.

A formal closing ceremony celebrated the mission's success. Key attendees included Ted Alex, the mission director, and Todd Farnworth, the medical director of Rotaplast. Also present were Shoaib Ahmed Matin, chairman of Rotaplast Mission 2026 and a member of the Rotary Club of Jalalabad, along with Muhammad Imrul Kabir, director of corporate affairs at Chevron Bangladesh. Professor Md Ismail Patwary, vice-chancellor of Sylhet Medical University, joined the event as well. Chevron Bangladesh played a significant role by partially funding the initiative. The surgeries addressed conditions that often carry social stigma, offering patients a chance at improved health and confidence.

The mission concluded after treating 54 individuals, primarily children, with life-altering procedures. Free reconstructive surgeries for cleft lip, palate, burns, and facial deformities were made possible through international collaboration and local sponsorship. The programme's success highlights ongoing efforts to provide critical medical care to underserved communities in Bangladesh.