Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused NGO, has announced a major milestone by supporting over 700,000 free cleft surgeries in India. This achievement highlights Smile Train’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality cleft care to children and families affected by clefts in India.
Smile Train’s approach goes beyond surgical care, as they also 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 made comprehensive cleft care accessible to all in need.
Susannah Schaefer, Smile Train’s President and CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the milestone, stating, “Our focus for the future remains expanding our comprehensive programs to ensure access to safe, free, high-quality cleft care for every child in need.” Through every surgery, Smile Train builds awareness, reduces stigma, and ensures acceptance for people with clefts in India and around the world. This achievement is a significant milestone in Smile Train’s journey to providing safe, free, and high-quality care to every child in need.
