Free surgery camp for cleft lip and palate from June 26

Dimapur, June 12 (EMN): A team of doctors from Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Imphal, will organise a free surgery camp for cleft lip and palate at Oking Hospital and Research Clinic in Kohima from June 26 to the 29th under Smile Train Shija Cleft Project – Mission Nagaland 43rd phase.

Smile Train Shija Cleft Project- Mission Nagaland, was formally launched by the then Governor of Nagaland, K Sankaranarayanan, on February 11, 2009. It is a joint initiative of Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Imphal, and Oking Hospital, Kohima, to reach out to the cleft lip and palate patients of Nagaland and give them a new lease of life by rendering absolutely free of cost corrective surgery, free medicine, accommodation and travelling allowance up to a permissible limit.

An update from Smile Train Shija Cleft Project stated that more than 649 cleft patients from Nagaland have availed free treatment till date under the project.

It mentioned that 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 defects. It stated that cleft lip should be corrected from the age of 6 months onwards and cleft palate from 14 months onwards to achieve the best results.

Considering the population of Nagaland, it was believed that there are more than 2500 untreated cleft patients in the state. Those patients are unable to avail of treatment due to financial constraints and unawareness of the treatment facility. It explained that children born with clefts have difficulty in eating, breathing, and speaking.

All such patients are asked to get themselves registered at Oking Hospital and Research Clinic, Kohima, one or two days ahead of the camp for necessary examination. They are further asked to contact the officials at Oking Hospital, Kohima, on phone nos. 0370 2290080, 2290146, and 9436000494 or Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Imphal, on phone nos. 9436869799 and 9436235270 for further information.