Some 199 women and children with deformities resulting from violence, burns and accidents have received free plastic and reconstructive surgery in a collaborative initiative between the Aga Khan Hospital Dar es Salaam, Muhimbili National Hospital and Reconstructing Women International. The Reconstructive Women and Children Programme, as it was called, was initiated in January 2016 with surgeons from the US, Canada and parts of Europe working closely with Tanzanian medical professionals. Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Dr Atlar Ali, head of surgery at Aga Khan Hospital said reconstructive surgeries have been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for those struggling with stigma and disability.