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Precise Support with Lasting Impact:
W&H Supports Nicaplast with an Implantmed Donation
Basel/Bürmoos – The Swiss humanitarian organisation Nicaplast has been committed for decades to supporting people in Nicaragua who lack access to specialised medical care. With the donation of the Implantmed implantology motor from W&H, the team receives valuable support for complex procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery as well as hand surgery.
Medical Aid with a long-term Perspective
Since 1993, the non-profit Nicaplast Group has organised annual volunteer medical missions in Nicaragua.
explains Priv.-Doz. Dr habil. Dr med. Dr med. dent. Benito K. Benitez, Senior Clinician at the University Hospital Basel and Head Clinician at the University Children’s Hospital Basel, who has been volunteering for Nicaplast in his spare time since 2022.
A key focus of the organisation’s work is the treatment of cleft lip and palate as well as other craniofacial malformations. These procedures restore essential functions such as chewing, speaking, and swallowing, thereby supporting social integration and improving patients’ long-term prospects and quality of life.
Efficient Surgery under challenging Conditions
Medical missions in Nicaragua are both medically and logistically demanding and are typically conducted in limited infrastructural conditions. In some cases, no powered surgical systems are available, meaning that even complex procedures must be performed under particularly challenging circumstances.
The donated Implantmed implantology motor from W&H addresses precisely this challenge and opens up new possibilities in surgical care. The technology not only contributes to treatment safety but also improves efficiency under demanding conditions.
Implantmed enables precise osteotomies and osteosyntheses, controlled bone augmentation, and the efficient treatment of dental pathologies.
At the beginning of each mission, a structured triage process is carried out in close collaboration with the local healthcare teams. In 2026, approximately 150 patients were evaluated, and 61 underwent surgical treatment.
Sustainability through Knowledge Transfer
In addition to providing surgical care, the sustainable development of local expertise is a key focus. Training programs and interdisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, anaesthesiologists, hand therapists, nutritionists, and lactation consultants help to ensure long-term treatment success.
One example of the enduring impact of this work is the story of a former cleft lip and palate patient who is now practicing as a medical doctor herself.
Partnership for a better Quality of Life
With the donation of the Implantmed, W&H is sending a clear commitment to social responsibility and sustainable medical aid. State-of-the-art technology, dedicated healthcare professionals, and strong partnerships enable Nicaplast to achieve lasting improvements in living conditions and healthcare outcomes for people in the region.
About Nicaplast
The Swiss Nicaplast Group is a non-profit NGO based in Basel that has been organising medical aid missions in Nicaragua for more than 30 years. Its focus is on hand surgery, maxillofacial surgery, as well as sustainable transfer of medical knowledge and expertise.
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