Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 13: Children in Maharashtra born with cleft lip and cleft palate will now receive free, quality and comprehensive treatment under a new three-year initiative launched through a partnership between the National Health Mission (NHM), Maharashtra, Bajaj Finance and Smile Train India.

The initiative has been conceived with the vision of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that every child can smile and lead a healthier, happier life. Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital conditions that can affect a child's ability to eat, speak, hear and maintain oral health, while the cost of comprehensive treatment can be beyond the reach of many families.

Under the memorandum of understanding, children identified with cleft lip or palate during screening under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) will be referred to Smile Train India's accredited partner hospitals through formal referral letters issued by district nodal officers.

The two organisations will coordinate to link individual districts with designated Smile Train partner hospitals so that eligible children can access treatment without financial barriers.

The programme will cover not only surgery but comprehensive cleft care. Children will receive free surgery, hospitalisation, medicines, nutritional support, dental and orthodontic care, speech therapy and other necessary services.

Where required, travel assistance will also be provided. Smile Train India will bear expenses related to the patient's food, accommodation and travel during the treatment process.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring that children from families who may otherwise struggle to afford cleft treatment receive timely and specialised care.

Smile Train has previously supported free cleft surgeries and comprehensive cleft care in India through a network of partner hospitals. The organisation's toll-free cleft helpline, 1800 103 8301, is available for treatment-related queries and support. Smile Train India launched the helpline to connect people with free cleft treatment through its partner hospitals.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital facial conditions. Children affected by these conditions can face difficulties with feeding, breathing, speech, hearing and dental development if they do not receive appropriate treatment. Comprehensive care often involves multiple specialities rather than surgery alone.

The Maharashtra initiative therefore seeks to provide a complete treatment pathway, from identification and referral to surgery and follow-up care, through the participating healthcare network.

Parents and guardians seeking information about treatment under the initiative can contact the Smile Train India helpline at 1800 103 8301.