Kohima, Oct. 15 (EMN): A team of personnel from the medical charity Smile Train Shija Cleft Project will be available for consultations at Oking Hospital & Research Clinic in Kohima during Oct. 23-24. The team is led by Dr. Kh. Palin, consultant cosmetic surgeon, at Shija Asian Cosmetic Centre, a press release from the organisers informed on Monday.
Smile Train Shija Cleft Project is designed to reach out to the people of Nagaland who are suffering from cleft lip and palate, the organisers stated. It is a collaborative effort of Smile Train Shija Cleft Project and Oking Hospital “towards rendering new smile, new hope and new life to cleft lip and cleft palate patients by rendering absolutely free of cost corrective surgery.”
According to the press release, the cleft is a separation or gap in the body structure. Two major types of oral or facial clefts are cleft lip (involving the lip) and cleft palate (involving the roof of the mouth or the soft posterior tissue inside the mouth).
“Clefts are a major problem in developing countries where there are millions of children who are suffering with unrepaired clefts. Most cannot eat or speak properly, are not allowed to attend school or hold a job and face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache,” the press release stated.
Many are unable to avail the treatment due to financial constraint and unawareness of the free treatment facility. The cost of an per operation is around INR 30,000 to INT 40,000 in other institutions wherein Smile Train Shija Cleft Project offers surgery absolutely free of cost, the press release stated.
The press release read: “The minimum eligibility to undergo the operation for cleft lip the patient should be 6 months old and for cleft palate the patient should be 14 months old. Apart from free treatment, it would also extend free medicines, free hospital stays including travelling allowance up to a permissible limit.”
“Politicians,” teachers, health workers and social activists are requested to promote the free treatment package in their respective area so that those suffering from cleft lip and palate can avail the free treatment which would give them a new lease of life.
For necessary examination, patients are informed to register at Oking Hospital a day or two ahead of the operation. For further information, they may also contact the hospital at 0370 2290080/2290146, or 9436000494, or the Shija Asian Cosmetic Centre at 7629076763, and 9436235270.
