SHRI celebrates 25th anniv of Smile Train
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 04 2024: Shija Hospitals & Research Institute (SHRI), in partnership with Smile Train, celebrated the 25th anniversary of Smile Train by lighting up the hospital and Kangla Fort, Imphal, in blue, the primary brand colour of Smile Train, on Friday.

In a release, SHRI informed that by illuminating iconic landmarks worldwide, the event aims to raise awareness about cleft lip and palate and contribute to a Guinness World Record attempt.

Kangla Fort, an ancient landmark and symbol of Manipur's rich heritage, was illuminated from 7 pm to 7:10 pm Friday.

It is part of Smile Train's global initiative to highlight the birth difference of cleft lip and palate and to celebrate 25 years of free cleft surgery, it said.

The release also informed that as the world's largest cleft-focused organisation, Smile Train marks 2024 as a monumental year, having performed over two million cleft surgeries worldwide and 7 lakh in India.

Shija Hospitals has been a significant contributor to this milestone, with 4690 successful surgeries conducted through the Smile Train Shija Cleft Project since its launch on June 11, 2006.SHRI further stated that the Smile Train Shija Cleft Project continues to provide free corrective surgeries for children, starting from three months of age for cleft lips and 14 months of age for cleft palates.

Beyond surgery, the project provides free diagnostics, accommodations, travelling support, speech therapy, and rehabilitation.

There are three credentialed Smile Train-partnered surgeons at Shija Hospitals including professor (Dr) Guruaribam Nilamani Sharma, Dr Palin Khundongbam, and Dr Nabakishor Haobijam.

In a memorable moment in 2019, the Smile Torch, commemorating Smile Train's 20th Anniversary, began its journey from Kangla Fort, Imphal, it said.

Comment