Surgery for Cleft Lip, Palate conducted in Nagaland
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 01 2022: In a joint initiative of Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Imphal and Oking Hospital, Kohima to reach out to cleft lip and palate patients of Nagaland, the 43rd phase of Smile Train Shija Cleft Project Mission Nagaland was held at Oking Hospital from June 26 to 29.During the camp, a team of Smile Train partner surgeons from Shija Hospitals, Imphal performed corrective surgeries on 44 children, said a SHRI release.

The surgeries were funded by Smile Train, a non-profit organisation and charity that provides free corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.

The camp not only provided free corrective surgery but also free accommodation, free medicine and travelling allowances (up to a permissible limit) to the patients and their attendants.

The Faith Harvest Church Kohima, provided free food to Smile Train patients and their families during the camp, it said.

It also informed that the Smile Train Shija Cleft Project-Mission Nagaland, was launched on February 11, 2009.More than 693 cleft patients from Nagaland have received free treatment under this project till date.

Cleft lip (openings or splits in the upper lip) and cleft palate (openings or splits in the roof of the mouth) are among the most common birth de fects.

Cleft lip should be corrected from the age of 6 months onwards and cleft palate from 14 months onwards to achieve the best results.

Research reveals that three infants with clefts are born every hour in India.

Considering the population of Nagaland, it is believed that there are more than 2500 untreated cleft patients in the state.

These patients are unable to avail of treatment due to financial constraints and lack of awareness of the treatment facility.

Children born with cleft palates have difficulty eating, breathing, and speaking.

They live in isolation if they are not treated, and the majority of these children never attend school and rarely find employment, the release pointed out.

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