Knowledge transfer
Professor Sailer is one of the world's most experienced maxillofacial surgeons. Over the last 30 years, as part of his work at the University Hospital Zurich, he has successfully carried out thousands of the most demanding operations. Almost all of the surgeons specialising in cleft lip and palate in the CCI's project countries have been trained by him.
Right from the beginning Professor Sailer has put a great emphasis on passing on his expertise and skills in maxillofacial surgery to doctors in developing- and newly industrialising countries. This has enabled an average of four cleft children to be operated on each day over the last five years.
Over 21,000 cleft surgeries have been accomplished so far thanks to Professor Sailer's work in establishing the foundation, and the specialist and financial support the foundation has provided our centres. Professor Sailer's assistance has enabled the four cleft centres in India to attain high standards of oral-facial surgery that are recognised internationally. Over a hundred facial surgeons have also been trained locally. A large number of orthodontists and dentists from all over the world have also benefited from the transfer of medical expertise made possible by CCI.
Several of our cleft centres have since become international training centres for the complex and multidisciplinary treatment of oral-facial clefts. The high demands made on medical expertise and experience requires a continuous transfer of knowledge, which is regularly stimulated by the foundation. Professor Sailer's vision of developing a sustainable concept which helps doctor's help themselves is now a reality.