Kozhikode, January 10, 2018: The Smile Train Centre was today inaugurated at Aster MIMS Calicut. The Centre will provide free corrective surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate. The Smile Train Centre will function with the support of the Smile Train Organisation, a world-wide charity based movement for the surgical correction of cleft lip and palate. The inauguration also saw the formation of the Aster MIMS Smile Train Family, a support group for Cleft Lip and Palate Support patients.
The program began with a prayer by Dr. Aiswarya, a Smile Train beneficiary. Welcoming the invitees, Dr. Krishnakumar K S, Senior Consultant and HOD, Department of Plastic Surgery, Aster MIMS, Calicut said, “India has an estimated population of one million untreated cleft patients, but there are limited facilities that provide quality, rational and effective comprehensive treatment surgical treatment to these patients. The advent of The Smile Train Project in India, coupled with the unwavering commitment of the plastic surgeons associated with the project has ushered in a new era in the history of management of cleft patients in South Asia. We are happy for the project’s support in setting up the Smile Train Centre at Aster MIMS for the benefit of the children in North Kerala.”
The Smile Train Centre was inaugurated by Mr. Rishi Raj Singh IPS, Excise Commisioner of Kerala. The Cleft Lip and Palate Support Group was inaugurated by Ms. Renu Mehta, Operations Director, Smile Train, India. After the felicitation by Dr. Rahul Menon, CEO, Aster MIMS; Dr. Hamsa P, CMS, Aster MIMS; and Dr Abraham Mammen, Quality Head, Aster MIMS, the parents of various Smile Train beneficiaries narrated their life changing stories. The inauguration ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ajith Kumar Pati, Senior Consultant, Department of Plastic Surgery, Aster MIMS.
Inaugurating the Smile Train Centre, Mr. Rishi Raj Singh IPS, Excise Commisioner of Kerala said, “Millions of children around the world are suffering from untreated clefts. This condition results in their not being able to eat or speak properly. This affects their development and life as they are often unable to attend school”. Ms. Renu Mehta, Operations Director, Smile Train said, “Hospitals and plastic surgeons are our equal partners in this programme and we look forward to the Smile Train Centre helping in the treatment of as many cleft patients as possible.”
