Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 10
On a brave mission to transform clefts to smiles, Mission Smile (Formerly Operation Smile India) in partnership with Eden Medical Centre will be conducting a Cleft Surgical Mission. Offering free comprehensive and reconstructive surgeries to people suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate, the event will be held at the Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur from February 27 to March 2, 2017
Since 2003, Mission Smile has provided numerous free surgeries for children all over the country. During a Press Conference held here today, at the Eden Medical Centre, Dipul Malakar, Sr. Manager-Patient recruitment and Communication from Mission Smile stated that the need to build community awareness on cleft surgery is very important. He stated that many people have the wrong notion about cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries. He assured that it is a 100% safe surgery for every patient.
“This is our first initiative in Nagaland. We estimated that there exists a backlog of 1500 Cleft patients plus 100 yearly newborns. Therefore, we are committed towards a long term service in Nagaland.”
Dr. Lima Imchen, from the Eden Medical Centre also expressed hope that the Cleft Surgical Mission is able to reach out to all the districts of Nagaland and people suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate make the most of this opportunity.
A medical team of 18 from Mission Smile and Para Military would be visiting Dimapur for the Cleft Surgical Mission. Eden Medical Centre would also be extending medical assistance along with logistics and laboratory facilities.
Surgery Norms (Age & Weight) Cleft Lip
Minimum Age is 6 months Patient weight should be 6 kilos No upper age limit for cleft lip
Cleft Palate
Minimum age is 12 months. Patient weight should be more than 10 kilos Maximum age limit is 25 years.
Children suffering from Cleft lip or Cleft palate can apply for the Cleft Surgical Mission and avail the benefits. For interested patients from other districts in Nagaland, contact Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur for more information and screening of patient. Free transport, food and accommodation cost will be covered for two attendants (family members) for patients below 5 years of age while for patients above five years of age, free transport, food, and accommodation for the patient plus one attendant.
If an instance arises, where the patient is not able to meet the scheduled appointment, Mission Smile also offers the opportunity to reschedule the surgery (applicable until March 31st, 2017) at its Guwahati Comprehensive Cleft Care Centre at MMC Hospital-an Annexe Hospital of GMCH Panbazar, Guwahati. The cost of transportation would also be covered by Mission Smile as mentioned above. Visit www.missionsmile.org for more information on Mission Smile.
