Chevron-backed rotaplast mission treats children with facial deformities

A formal closing ceremony was held recently in Sylhet marking the conclusion of the 9th Rotaplast Mission to Bangladesh.

As part of the mission, 54 patients, mostly children from the greater Sylhet division and Chevron Bangladesh's operational areas, received free reconstructive surgeries to correct cleft lip, cleft palate, other facial deformities and burn injuries.

The 10-day mission was partially sponsored by Chevron Bangladesh and implemented in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Jalalabad and Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital. More than 24 international volunteers participated in the mission, including reconstructive plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, speech pathologists, orthodontists and nurses.

Among those attending the closing ceremony were Professor Dr Ismail Patwary, vice-chancellor of Sylhet Medical University; Ted Alex, mission director of Rotaplast International; Dr Todd Farnworth, medical director of Rotaplast; Rtn Engr Shoaib Ahmed Matin, chairman of Rotaplast Mission 2026 and member of the Rotary Club of Jalalabad; Rtn Subrata Chakravartty (Jewel), president of the Rotary Club of Jalalabad; Muhammad Imrul Kabir, director (corporate affairs) of Chevron Bangladesh; Professor Dr Fazlur Rahim Kaiser, chairman of Holy Sylhet Holding Ltd.; and Maj Gen (retd) Dr Syed Iftekhar Uddin, director and adviser of Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital.

A project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, Rotaplast International is a non-profit humanitarian organisation that deploys multidisciplinary medical teams worldwide to provide free reconstructive surgeries, related treatment and training for the comprehensive care of children with cleft lip and cleft palate. The organisation works closely with local professionals, Rotary clubs and partner institutions, while also supporting education and research aimed at prevention.

Chevron Bangladesh's collaboration with Rotaplast began in 2013 with logistical support and co-sponsorship of a surgical mission in Chattogram. The partnership has since continued in Sylhet in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Speaking as the chief guest, Professor Dr Md Ismail Patwary expressed appreciation to Rotaplast International, Chevron Bangladesh, the Rotary Club of Jalalabad and Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital for their collective efforts in supporting the humanitarian mission.

Muhammad Imrul Kabir said the reconstructive surgeries significantly improve the lives of patients by enabling them to live more normal lives and realise their full potential. "At Chevron Bangladesh, we are proud to support this life-changing programme through our social investment initiatives. Health, education and economic development are the core focus areas of our social investment, with more than $15 million invested in these sectors to support communities," he said.

Speaking on behalf of Rotaplast, Ted Alex thanked the parents who brought their children to the mission and placed their trust in the Rotaplast medical team.