Operation Smile Unveils Blueprint to Transform Future of Access to Surgical Care Globally

March 4, 2025 (Virginia Beach, VA): Operation Smile – a global nonprofit deeply committed to closing the gap in surgical and health care access- announced Operation 100, a blueprint to transform access by equipping district hospitals with the skills, tools, and infrastructure to deliver essential surgery closer to patients’ homes.

With over 5 billion people – more than two-thirds of the world’s population – lacking access to safe, affordable surgery, the global surgical crisis demands urgent action. To meet the 143 million surgeries needed in low- and middle-income countries annually, the world requires 2.2 million more surgeons¹. Operation 100 is the solution to closing this gap – training and equipping local surgical teams to bring safe, high-quality care closer to home.

Leveraging Operation Smile’s 40+ years of expertise in expanding surgical access, this strategy will train 100 surgical teams across 100 hospitals, providing them with specialized skills, essential equipment, and strengthened health care infrastructure. These teams will be able to independently deliver life-changing surgeries at district hospitals, making essential cleft surgical care accessible to nearly 500 million people within a two-hour radius of their home.

“For too long, patients have been forced to travel for days, exhausting their resources just to reach surgical care – only to be turned away,” said Kathy Magee, co-founder, president, and CEO of Operation Smile. “Operation 100 is about building hope. By strengthening district hospitals, we’re not just expanding access to essential health care and surgery – we’re building resilient health care systems, equipping local health care professionals, and ensuring sustainable access for generations to come.”

Operation Smile launched Operation 100 at the Pan-African Surgical Conference (#PASC2025) in Kigali, Rwanda on February 24 — a gathering of academics, policymakers, and global surgical leaders tackling Africa’s surgical workforce shortage. Africa alone faces a projected shortage of 6 million surgical care providers by 2030, leaving millions without life-saving procedures.

“This strategy is built in direct collaboration with local partners who understand the realities on the ground,” said Dr. Billy Magee, chief medical officer at Operation Smile, and co-chair of the Pan-African Surgical Conference. “Through these partnerships, we are investing in surgical training, expanding infrastructure, and driving policy change — building a self-sustaining system where every community has access to the essential surgical care they deserve.”

With the theme “Building Resilient and Sustainable Surgical Services in Africa: A Surgeon in Every District,” the conference was organized by Operation Smile, the Rwanda Surgical Society, the University of Rwanda, and the Rwanda Ministry of Health.
Rwanda exemplifies the impact of localized training and investment. When Operation Smile began its work in the country, only two plastic surgeons served a population of 13 million. Today, 22 general surgeons have been trained in cleft and plastic surgery, proving the power of sustainable, locally driven solutions.

“Strengthening district hospitals is the key to sustainable surgical access,” said Dr. Faustin Ntirenganya, president of the Rwanda Surgical Society and co-chair of the Pan-African Surgical Conference. “Bringing Operation 100 to life here in Rwanda means that, for the first time, every citizen will be within 75 kilometers of essential plastic and reconstructive surgical services—something unimaginable just a few years ago.”

While today’s announcement marks a commitment to the first 100 surgical teams, this is only the start. Operation 100 is about creating lasting impact—not just for patients, but for families, communities, and entire health care systems.

By harnessing education as a catalyst and working hand-in-hand with local frontline health care workers, academic institutions, NGOs, and governments, Operation Smile is building a scalable, sustainable model for surgical care, creating a future where life-saving surgery is within reach for all.

About Operation Smile  
Operation Smile is a leading global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. We provide medical expertise, training, mentorship, research and care through our dedicated staff and volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits and health systems, and supported by our generous donors and corporate partners. Visit operationsmile.org for more information.  

Media Contact:
Molly Speed
Porter Novelli
[email protected]


¹The Lancet Commissions Global Surgery 2030: evidence and solutions for achieving health, welfare, and economic development by Meara JG, Leather AJ, Hagander L, Alkire BC, Alonso N, Ameh EA, et al