Every 15 minutes one Child is born with a cleft in India

Accessible cleft care in India through Mission Smile

Kula Pradip Bhagawati

In India, the face of childhood is marked by a stark reality: every 15 minutes, a child is born with a cleft lip or palate, adding to a staggering statistic of over 35,000 children born with this condition each year. This birth defect, while correctable, poses significant challenges for these children and their families. Eating, speaking, and even breathing can be difficult, and the social stigma can be isolating. It is within this challenging landscape that Mission Smile has emerged as a beacon of hope, embarking on a journey to transform lives and rewrite futures.

Globally, clefts affect 1 in 700 births, making it one of the most common birth defects. In India, where access to healthcare can be limited, particularly in rural areas, many children with clefts go untreated. This can lead to lifelong difficulties with speech, hearing, and social interaction. Mission Smile, founded in 2002, recognised the urgent need for accessible cleft care in India. They understood that these children needed more than just surgery – they needed comprehensive care that addressed not only the physical aspects of the condition but also the emotional and social implications. Thus began their mission to provide free, holistic cleft treatment to children in need.

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Beacon of hope

Their journey has been one of unwavering dedication and innovation.  Mission Smile’s medical teams travel across India, setting up temporary medical camps in areas where access to healthcare is limited. These camps are not just about surgeries – they are about creating a supportive environment where children and families feel safe and empowered.  Each child receives individualised care, from the initial assessment to post-operative support, ensuring the best possible outcome.

Beyond the operating room, Mission Smile is committed to building a sustainable future for cleft care in India. They invest in training local medical professionals, empowering them with the skills and knowledge to provide quality cleft treatment within their own communities.  This strategy not only increases access to care but also fosters self-reliance and strengthens the healthcare infrastructure in the long term.

Mission Smile’s objectives are ambitious yet grounded in compassion. They aim to eradicate the backlog of untreated cleft cases in India, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive timely and effective care. They strive to create a society where children with clefts are not defined by their condition but are embraced for their potential.  Through awareness campaigns and community engagement, they are working to dispel myths and reduce the stigma associated with clefts.

The journey of Mission Smile is a testament to the power of collective action.  Through partnerships with hospitals, governments, and other organisations, they are creating a network of support that amplifies their impact, driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to smile confidently, speak clearly, and live a life free from the limitations imposed by a cleft condition.

Mission Smile’s story is one of hope, resilience, and transformation.  It is a story that reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, the human spirit can triumph. With every child they treat, they are not just changing a face; they are changing a life, a family, and a community.  And in doing so, they are shaping a brighter future for India, one smile at a time.

Changing the Face of Tomorrow

Mission Smile stands as a beacon of hope for children born with cleft lip and palate, a condition that can cause significant challenges in eating, speaking, and social interaction.  Since its inception in 2002, this non-profit organisation has been tirelessly working to provide free, comprehensive cleft care to children in need across the globe. Their impact extends far beyond the operating room, touching the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities.

More than just surgery, Mission Smile embraces a holistic approach to cleft care. Recognising that the journey to recovery involves more than just physical healing, they provide a comprehensive suite of services. This includes speech therapy to help children develop clear communication, dental care to address associated oral health issues, and psychological support to foster emotional well-being and social confidence. This multifaceted approach ensures that children receive the complete care they need to thrive.

Cleft lip and palate are among the most common birth defects, affecting approximately 1 in 700 babies worldwide. This facial difference occurs when the tissues that form the upper lip and/or palate do not fuse completely during pregnancy. The effects can range from cosmetic to functional, including difficulties with feeding, speech, hearing, and even breathing.  

However, there is hope. Through the tireless efforts of dedicated medical professionals, researchers, and the work of organisations such as Mission Smile, countless individuals born with clefts have received life-changing treatment and support.

A Legacy of Transformation

A cornerstone of Mission Smile’s philosophy is sustainability and in the understanding that true change lies in empowering local communities. By training medical professionals in developing countries, they create a ripple effect that extends far beyond their own missions. This strategy not only increases access to cleft care in underserved regions but also fosters self-reliance and strengthens local healthcare systems.

Mission Smile’s work is deeply rooted in collaboration, partnering with governments, hospitals, and other organisations to maximise their reach and impact. This collaborative spirit allows them to leverage resources, share expertise, and create a powerful network of support for children with clefts and by working together, they can achieve more than they ever could alone.

The true measure of Mission Smile’s success lies in the countless stories of transformation. Children who once struggled to eat or speak can now enjoy meals with their families and participate fully in school. They can smile confidently, embrace social interactions, and pursue their dreams without limitations. These individual stories weave a tapestry of hope, resilience, and the extraordinary impact of compassionate care.

New Beginnings

Mission Smile’s dedication to changing lives extends beyond borders and cultures. They have conducted missions in numerous countries, bringing their expertise and compassion to diverse communities. This global reach underscores their commitment to making a difference on a worldwide scale, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to live a full and happy life.

Looking ahead, Mission Smile continues to innovate and expand its programs. They are constantly exploring new ways to improve surgical techniques, enhance patient care, and reach more children in need. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and their passion for creating a brighter future for children with clefts make them a true force for good in the world.

A Global Record

The Guwahati Comprehensive Cleft Care Center (GC4) of Mission Smile has achieved an extraordinary milestone: the completion of 25,000 transformative cleft lip and palate surgeries, spreading smiles and hope across Northeast India. This amazing achievement coincides with the 18th Smile Asia Council conference being held in Guwahati. Smile Asia is a global alliance of charities supporting cleft care across nine countries in Southeast Asia including Mission Smile, India.

The historic 25,000th surgery, performed on Baby Ligang Pegu of Piyang Village from the Silapathar block of Dhemaji District, took place on October 31, 2024. This achievement marks a new chapter in GC4’s legacy of providing free, high-quality cleft care. Since its inception in 2010, GC4 has been a trusted source of hope, offering life-changing services to thousands of children and families in the region at no cost. This milestone underscores the success of the unique public-private partnership (PPP) between Mission Smile, the Assam Government, and the National Health Mission (NHM) Assam, which has made comprehensive cleft care accessible across the region.

Reflecting on this achievement, Ranjit Barthakur, a founding member of Mission Smile, acknowledged the dedication of the GC4 team: “This milestone is a testament to the tireless work of our surgeons, anesthesiologists, staff, and volunteers, both national and international. Each surgery represents a new beginning for a child and their family, strengthening our resolve to provide transformative healthcare to all in need.”

Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who originally envisioned this initiative as the Health Minister in 2010, has witnessed GC4’s evolution into a premier model of multidisciplinary collaboration in cleft care, setting a benchmark for excellence in India and globally.

Each year, thousands of children in India are born with cleft lip and palate, facing challenges in feeding, speech, hearing, and social integration. GC4 addresses these needs holistically, offering not only surgical care but also nutritional support, speech therapy, dentistry, and emotional counseling. Through awareness campaigns and pre-screening camps, GC4 enables families to access vital treatment, preparing them for a transformative journey.
Mission Smile extends its heartfelt gratitude to donors, partners, and supporters who have fueled this journey. As GC4 celebrates this milestone of 25,000 surgeries, it rededicates itself to the cause of accessible and compassionate cleft care across India.

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