Smile Train India supports 425 free cleft surgeries for children in Nagaland

Some of the beneficiaries of the cleft surgery program organised by Shija Hospitals and Research Center, Imphal in collaboration with Oking Hospital, Kohima on October 15 and 16. 

Kohima, October 18 (MExN): Smile Train India, the world's largest cleft charity, supported a two- day cleft surgery program at Kohima to provide free treatment to children born with clefts. The cleft surgery program was organised by Shija Hospitals and Research Center, Imphal in collaboration with Oking Hospital, Kohima. 

Seven children across Nagaland received free surgery on October 15 and 16.  Besides free treatment, free medicines and travelling allowance was provided to patients.

This marked the completion of the 39th phase of Smile Train partner Shija Hospital’s Nagaland Cleft Outreach Program in collaboration with Oking Hospital, Kohima, which was initiated in 2012 and has provided 425 free cleft surgeries in Nagaland through this collaboration. 

Since 2000, Smile Train India has been actively involved in supporting free cleft treatment for children with clefts across India through a network of 150+ hospitals.  Smile Train India and Shija Hospitals and Research Centre,  Imphal have provided more than 3900+ cleft surgeries in Manipur and neighbouring states since 2006. 

Congratulating Shija Hospitals and Research Centre and Oking Hospital on successful completion of the 39th phase of the cleft surgery program, Ishani Biswas, Program Manager, Smile Train India said, “The enthusiasm and dedication of our partner Shija Hospitals and Research Centre in collaboration with Oking Hospital have been instrumental and inspiring in helping us achieve various milestones in Nagaland. We look forward to continuing this journey to support more free cleft surgeries and transform lives of many more children with clefts.”

Talking about the Nagaland Cleft Outreach Program, Dr. Kh. Palin Singh, Smile Train Project Director at Shija Hospitals said, “We are grateful for the support extended by Smile Train India and its commitment to support world class treatment for children born with cleft lip and/or palate, absolutely free of cost. Many families are not able to afford cleft surgery. Smile Train India supports not only free surgeries but also pre and post-surgery operative care. This is truly empowering the lives of patients with clefts.” 

In India, it is estimated that more than 35,000 babies are born with clefts every year. Hundreds of thousands of children with untreated clefts live in isolation, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking, as their families cannot afford the life-transforming cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care they need. Smile Train India’s sustainable model focuses on training and empowering local medical professionals to provide cleft treatment in their own communities. Through this sustainable model, Smile Train India has supported more than 600,000 free cleft surgeries across India, through a network of 150+ partner hospitals.
Cleft patients who wish to avail free cleft surgery can reach Smile Train on Toll Free Cleft Helpline: 1800 103 8301