Smile Train India strengthens support to cleft patients during COVID-19
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2020: The COVID-19 lockdown has affected all non-Covid related health issues as well since OPDs and regular hospital services have been paused due to Government guidelines.

This not only led to suspension of time sensitive cleft lip and palate surgeries, but also left the cleft patients and their families anxious and confused.

The NGO Smile Train India opened a toll free cleft helpline which became a support system during the lockdown to answer queries of parents ranging from how to feed a newborn with cleft lip and palate, when would they be able to seek free cleft treatment, etc.

300 such calls were received during the lockdown.

Cleft lip and palate is a birth anomaly which can be completely cured but it is important that such children get treatment at the right age to live a healthy and productive life.

This involves surgery and other related ancillary care.

Delayed treatment can lead to speech and hearing problems, besides social stigma and isolation.

Smile Train India is an NGO which supports totally free cleft treatment.

In the last 20 years, they have supported more than 6 lakh free surgeries for children across India.

Talking about the situation, Mamta Carrol, Smile Train's Vice-president and Regional Director for Asia said, "Our Toll Free Cleft Helpline was launched with the objective of creating a readily accessible national resource for cleft patients and it proved to be a huge support to patients and their families during the lockdown.

With enhanced safety guidelines to protect both patients and health workers, our partner hospitals across the country are now slowly resuming cleft surgeries.

In fact, surgeries have resumed in Manipur and we are supporting free treatment for cleft patients".

Smile Train partner surgeon Dr Kh Palin Singh, Smile Train Project Director at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Private Limited said, "Treatment for cleft lip and palate should not be delayed beyond a certain time as it leads to larger problems such as incorrect speech, orthodontic problems etc.

With the support of Smile Train, we have been able to provide safe and quality treatment to children born with cleft lip and palate to ensure they lead a productive life.

Cleft is treatable and we are committed to help many more children across Manipur and Nagaland" .

Smile Train has supported more than 4,000 surgeries in Manipur and Nagaland through its partner Shija Hospital.

Cleft surgeries are also conducted at Oking Hospital, Kohima on a regular basis by Dr Kh Palin Singh and his team.

For more details on free cleft treatment, the toll free helpline No is 1800 103 8301 .

To learn more about Smile Train India, visit smiletrainindia.org.

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