The International Hospital for Children is in Belize this week performing
surgeries on children. And while the procedures aren’t heart transplants,
they are small miracles to the children who receive them. Jacqueline Godwin
found out about the clinic in Dangriga that took place this weekend.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Thirteen year old Robin Martinez was born with no left outer ear, a condition
known as microatia, but Robin is not alone, each year six new cases are reported
in Belize. Children with microatia can hear but because they are often stared
at they suffer from low self esteem and are unable to live a normal life.
Dr. Allan Burke, Plastic Surgeon
“Very often they feel a stigma that they will carry with them and
they will camouflage this type of problem with hairstyles but our goal is to 
make Robin feel confident amongst all of her school friends and society. And
so this is one of the most important things we like to do and we are very pleased.”
On Thursday Robin will undergo reconstructive ear surgery. The procedure is
similar to the one performed on eight year old Eliana Noble two years ago. On
Sunday Dr. Allan Burke, a plastic surgeon with the International Hospital for
Children explained to his young patient and mother what they should expect.
Dr. Allan Burke,
“We choose a particular technique that uses an artificial graft but
it has the best shape and it is something you can live with all your life. Some
of the other options, the more conventional options, are to borrow some of your
rib. But the looks of your ear carved from the rib doesn’t look as fine
and one turn and the rib changes suddenly so we choose this technique which
gives a much better aesthetic result.”
Since Dr. Burke has been holding clinics for the past six years in Belize he
has helped many children across the country with all types of deformities. As
he gets ready for the seventh session, he has been meeting with patients at
Southern Regional Hospital.
Milagro Garel, Country Representative - IHC
“We have seen over fifty patients, most of them paediatrics, we have
seen three new cases of microatia which are children who are born without an
outer ear, we have seen so many cleft palate babies from all over the country
and also other problems with burns, scars and deformities of the skin.”
Eliana Noble was one of the first children to do the procedure. Today she gets 
ready or what may be her final operation.
Dr. Allan Burke,
“So a couple years ago we put the framework in for an ear and last
year we matched up the earlobe which is done really well with the framework.
But there is still not as much definition as I would like to see and I am wondering
if we can get more definition.”
And according to the family since the reconstructive ear surgery Eliana is
feeling much better about herself. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7NEWS.
Today clinics were held in Dangriga and will continue through tomorrow.
On Wednesday and Thursday Dr. Allan Burke will be in Belize City.
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