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Free Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
 Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMC & RI) has entered into an agreement
with the Smile Train Organization to provide free treatment to children suffering from cleft lips and
palates. A separate centre called the 'Sri Ramachandra Cleft & Craniofacial Centre' has been
established to provide a multidisciplinary care for children affected with Cleft lip and Palate anomaly at
SRMC & RI. Porur, Chennai.
The Smile Train Organization has selected Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute
(DU), since they had the necessary facilities, infrastructure and expertise in various disciplines and
enough number of cleft lip and palate surgeons, orthodontists and speech pathologists.
Dr. Jyotsna Murthy, Director, Cleft & Craniofacial Center, SRMC, said, “ Our team includes Plastic
Surgeon, Paediatrician, Pedodontist, Speech Therapist, Orthodontist, Nutritionist, Maxillofacial
Surgeon and Neurosurgeon providing holistic treatment without any financial drain on the family. We
also help them to cope up with social and emotional stress. We have done 2,250 free surgeries during
the last few years.”
The Smile Train is a non-profit organisation that is committed to eradicating the problem of cleft lips
and palates. It began in 1999 with its first surgery performed in China by a local medical team. Today,
it is the largest cleft organisation in the world with hundreds of partners and programmes in more
than 30 countries. Its two simple goals are to help millions of children suffering with cleft lips and
palates who cannot afford surgery and find out means of prevention to protect the millions of unborn
children who are at risk.
Cleft Lip and Palate is one of the commonest congenital anomalies, which affect the face, speech and
teeth. Though the children affected with this anomaly are mentally normal, they are unacceptable
socially because of their facial defect. This makes them handicapped.
Approximately one infant in every 600-700 born has a cleft lip and palate. More than 50% children do
not receive any surgical help, because they are unaware of the fact that the condition is rectifiable.
The exact cause of this anomaly is not known and the surgery requires multidisciplinary team. For
further information on free surgeries, contact Dr. Jyotsna Murthy at 2476 5614.
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