Srinagar: Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused NGO, has supported two thousand and nine hundred surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate in Jammu and Kashmir, in partnership with hospitals across the erstwhile state.
Announcing this landmark achievement, Smile Train acknowledged the crucial support received from National Health Mission’s Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) in identifying children with clefts across J&K and referring them to Smile Train partner hospitals for free treatment. The partnership with RBSK has enabled Smile Train to extend free cleft treatment to children in need, even in remote regions of the state.
Speaking about the achieved milestone, Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President & Regional Director for Asia, Smile Train said, “Our success in reaching this remarkable milestone is a result of the collective efforts and support from our partner hospitals and the RBSK team in the state. Each cleft surgery represents a life transformation, and we are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the state government which has allowed us to work seamlessly.”
Bhupinder Kumar IAS, Administrative Secretary, Department of Health & Medical Education and MD NHM said, “Smile Train has made a great impact in the lives of children with clefts. Their approach to upskilling regional medical capacity in cleft care is unique and sustainable. We see this partnership as a two-way street to reduce neonatal mortality and ensure health for all. Since the inception of our partnership, we have referred 180 patients to Smile Train partner hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar all of whom have been successfully operated.” (KNT)
