Smile Train, the global leader in cleft care, has achieved a monumental milestone in India, providing over 700,000 free cleft surgeries to children in need through their extensive network of partner hospitals across the country. This life-changing achievement is a testament to Smile Train’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, safe, and comprehensive cleft care to those who need it most.
Susannah Schaefer, Smile Train’s President and CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the achievement, saying, “We are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone and to have transformed the lives of so many children and families in India. Our commitment to providing safe, high-quality, and life-changing cleft care to every child in need remains stronger than ever.”
In addition to surgical care, Smile Train’s partner hospitals in India offer non-surgical treatments such as nutrition and feeding support, orthodontic services, speech therapy, and psychosocial counseling to ensure the long-term rehabilitation of every patient according to their unique needs.
Through partnerships with medical and government-led organizations, such as National Health Mission’s Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), Smile Train has driven early diagnosis and intervention for children with clefts and enhanced the safety and quality of surgical care at treatment centers across the country.
Smile Train’s model of empowering local doctors and hospitals with funding, training, and resources has transformed the lives of over 700,000 children in India. This milestone is a testament to Smile Train’s commitment to changing lives and transforming communities through every surgery.
Through every surgery, Smile Train builds awareness, reduces stigma, and ensures acceptance for people with clefts in India and around the world. Smile Train’s comprehensive approach to cleft care and its commitment to providing safe, free, and high-quality care to every child in need will continue to change lives and transform communities for years to come.
