Smile Train
Cleft Lip Research Underway; Treatment Is Free, Avoid Superstition: Susannah Schaefer Thrissur: One in every 700 babies born worldwide is affected by cleft lip and/or palate, said Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train, the global humanitarian organisation that provides free surgery and comprehensive care to children born with these conditions. Children born with a cleft lip and palate may face difficulties in eating, breathing and speaking. Smile Train’s mission is to bring smiles to the faces of children who may otherwise struggle even to smile because of their condition. Susannah Schaefer urged parents not to hide their children because of their appearance or allow superstition to deprive them of a valuable future. It generally takes four or five surgeries, along with other treatments, over a period of about two to two-and-a-half years to restore the child’s lip and nose to near-normal function and appearance. Speech therapy is also an important part of the treatment to help children develop their communication skills. The overall cost of such surgeries and related treatment can amount to at least ₹8 lakh. However, Smile Train provides financial support covering the cost of surgery and other necessary treatment, helping children return to normal, healthy lives. Founded in 2000, Smile Train has supported more than 2 million cleft surgeries worldwide. In India, the organisation has supported cleft care for around 800,000 people through more than 130 partner hospitals, including Jubilee Mission Hospital. At Jubilee Mission Hospital, which is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee, free cleft surgery was initiated by Dr. Adenwala. The hospital’s Charles Pinto Centre, established under his leadership, is equipped with modern facilities for cleft care. This year also marks the 25th year of Smile Train’s support for cleft surgeries at Jubilee Mission Hospital. The hospital has so far provided free cleft surgery to around 26,000 patients, with more than 17,000 surgeries supported by Smile Train. Jubilee Mission was the first hospital in India to sign an agreement with Smile Train for cleft care. Today, under the leadership of Dr. P. V. Narayanan, it has emerged as one of the leading centres in India for the comprehensive treatment of cleft conditions, Susannah Schaefer said. There is still no definitive answer as to whether cleft conditions are linked to family history, genetic factors or geographical influences. Research is currently underway at various centres, including the research centre at Jubilee Mission Hospital, to better understand their causes. Some people also ask whether cleft conditions can be prevented through precautions during pregnancy. Experts believe that factors such as tobacco, alcohol and substance use, exposure to pesticides, taking medication without medical advice and nutritional deficiencies may contribute to conditions such as cleft lip and palate. Research into these factors is also continuing. Treatment, including surgery, can generally begin when a baby with a cleft reaches around three months of age, depending on the child’s health and medical assessment. Follow-up surgeries and continuing care are essential to achieve the best possible outcome. Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for Asia at Smile Train, who accompanied Susannah Schaefer, said that around 35,000 babies are born with cleft conditions in India each year. She noted that some families in India are still reluctant to bring children with clefts out for treatment, while others may turn to superstition instead of seeking medical care. For some parents, the difficulty of travelling long distances to specialised hospitals is another challenge. “There is a need to create greater awareness among families so that children with cleft conditions are brought to hospitals with specialised treatment facilities, such as Jubilee Mission Hospital, where they can receive comprehensive care free of cost,” Mamta said. Susannah Schaefer has one simple message for parents: Help your children smile. “Smile Train is here to help children overcome the challenges associated with cleft conditions and give them the confidence to smile. The treatment is provided free of cost. Parents should not waste their children’s precious time in distress or by following superstitions,” Susannah Schaefer said.
