Every three minutes, a baby is born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate somewhere in the world, however many do not receive the surgery they need to correct the problem, Operation Smile has said.

It is an international medical charity that has been providing free cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children in the developing world since the early 1980s. It now aims to increase its delivery of medical programmes to affected children worldwide who are still in need of surgery.

A cleft lip and/or palate are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.

Babies currently born in Ireland receive corrective surgery. However in the developing world, 75% who require it do not receive it. This leaves them with a range of problems, such as feeding difficulties, speech problems, and a greater risk of isolation and poverty in later life.

Speaking at a business leaders event hosted by Operation Smile as part of its fundraising efforts, Ireland rugby coach, Joe Schmidt, said he was ‘delighted' to lend his support to the organisation's efforts.

"The work the charity does is simply transformational. It is giving children back their smiles and the lasting positive impact will stay with them for the rest of their lives," Mr Schmidt said.

The Irish branch of Operation Smile was founded in 2003. Funds raised from this latest event will support the work of Irish plastic surgeon, Dr David Orr, in the development of the plastic surgery service and training programme at Jimma University Hospital in South West Ethiopia - a country where there is only one doctor for every 43,000 people.

"We are so grateful to our medical volunteers and supporters, and to Joe Schmidt for giving his time to help us highlight the desperate need for children born with cleft conditions to get surgery to allow them to lead happier and healthier lives," commented Operation Smile Ireland CEO, Teri Cosgrove.

For more information on Operation Smile Ireland, click here.