Kohima, March 08: Close on the heels of the successful stint at silchar in its maiden venture recently the Smile Train Cleft Project of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI) is all set to re-enter the Cachar district of Assam along with Rotary Club International on March 13 and 14. Informing that its second phase endeavour would be held at the Rotary Bhavan, Silchar president of Rotary Club Imphal Dr L Surchandra highlighted that out of 10 cases of lips and palate deformities eight successful surgeries had been carried out while operations on the remaining two would be done soon.

Conveying that fooding and lodging expenditures are being borne by the Club under the joint initiative, Dr Surchandra explained that involvement of Rotary Club is to spread awareness of the noble project to interior and rural areas.

Joining in the media briefing, managing Director of SHRI Dr Kh Palin asserted that complete eradication of cleft lips and rectifying palate deformities is the main objective of the Smile Train Project and applauded involvement of Rotarians in the recent Barak Mission.

He added that along with Rotarians efforts are on to take the Project to Dimapur in the near future in addition to more expansive Barak Mission in the second phase.

Dr Palin, who is also the president designate of Rotary Club Imphal, disclosed that SHRI's endeavour to expand its reach would be immensely boosted with the arrival of a 'campaign van' in April.

Moreover, SHRI had proposed for a 16-wheeler truck to expand coverage of the Smile Train Project inclusive of operation theatre and post operation ward with the only impediment delaying the arrival being poor surface communication system of Manipur, he added.

Highlighting that SHRI initially faced certain complications, financially, in bearing transportation charges of patients, Dr Palin claimed that with the Rotary Club joining hands in the noble project financial aspect of the programme could be overcome to a large extent.

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