Jowai, Nov 15: Mission Smile in partnership with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), state government and Dr Norman Tunnel Hospital, Jowai, organised free cleft surgeries in West Jaintia Hills.
A total of 31 children from West and East Jaintia Hills underwent cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries during the screening and surgery camp held at Dr Norman Tunnel Hospital from November 10 to 13.
Dr D Malakar, Operation Head of Mission Smile Guwahati, highlighted the long standing work of the mission, which started working in the North East around 15 years ago when the organisation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Assam in 2010 and with the government of Meghalaya in 2013. Since then the Mission Smile has been providing free cleft surgeries to children across the region.
He highlighted that over the years, Mission Smile has held several camps in Meghalaya, including Shillong Civil Hospital and Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong. Dr Malakar mentioned that the team now aims to extend its outreach further by adopting a door to door approach reaching remote villages to identify patients who may otherwise go untreated.
He appreciated the support of the RBSK initiative, which has helped identify and refer cleft patients to Mission Smile for treatment. He also commended Dr Handaka L Suting, DEIC Manager and acknowledged the partnership with Dr Norman Tunnel Hospital whose excellent facilities and staff made the current camp possible.
Dr Suting shared the achievements of the camp and informed that the post operation follow up will be held at the DEIC after 10 days. She also highlighted the need for more community awareness and expressed hope that this first camp in Jowai will encourage more families to participate in upcoming camps.
