Trujillo, Peru

Global Smile Foundation (GSF) has provided cleft surgery and other comprehensive cleft care services in Peru since 2008. Working with volunteers from a local dental school, we established GSF-Peru to support our humanitarian outreach in the region. GSF-Peru conducts oral health awareness campaigns throughout the year.

Located on the northwest coast of Peru in the region of La Libertad, Trujillo is the second most populous city in the country. It is surrounded by rural areas and the Andes mountains where more than one third of the population is estimated to live in poverty. In addition, the country’s significant wealth gap means that people at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum lack access to basic services like healthcare and education.

GSF works with EsSalud to provide comprehensive cleft care to patients. EsSalud is the largest hospital owner and operator in Peru, with more than 400 hospitals under its management. GSF is fortunate to be housed at the Hospital Virgen de la Puerta de EsSalud, the newest hospital in La Libertad. Opened in December 2014, this hospital serves the entire region with modern facilities and advanced technology centers.

In May 2016, EsSalud and GSF signed an agreement to carry out cooperative efforts in education, training, outreach missions, and the establishment of comprehensive care centers for clefts in EsSalud hospitals.