HAMS, Smile Train sign deal; Will perform cleft lip surgeries for free

Kathmandu:

Know someone who’s born with a cleft lip and palate problem? Or, have you conceived a baby with such a problem? If yes, here’s some good news for you — HAMS Heritage Hospitals (HHH), Buddhanagar will from now on provide free cleft lip and palate surgeries with funding from the Smile Train, an American Foundation. The Foundation, established in 1999, runs free cleft lip and palate surgeries in 71 countries.

“This partnership will be very beneficial to many people in Nepal. If affected childern and adults get free surgeries, it will be helpful to Nepal,” said chairman of HHH, Surhid Ghimire. “It is estimated that thousands of people need treatment for cleft lip and palate problem in Nepal,” he added.

The soft launch of the programme was held on December 25, 2007. According to the hospital management, till today they have already treated around 100 patients. The hospital will also provide treatment throughout the year to any patient within the age group of four months to 40 years who come and register at the hospital. Dr Ishwar Lohani said the treatment usually costs Rs 10,000 and above.

“In developing countries like ours, especially within poor families, if a mother bears a child with cleft lip and palate problem, then it is often said it is due to some curse. The daughter-in-law is often thrown out of the house and the child’s life becomes worse than animal’s. People, mostly the poor, don’t know the problem can be cured. What a joy a surgery will bring into the life of so many people like this,” shared Satish Kalra, regional director of South Asia, Smile Train.

Kalra, on behalf of Smile Train, and Dr Siddharth Rai, Executive Director, Heritage Hospital Limited India, on behalf of HAMS Heritage Hospitals, signed the formal agreement on February 6 at Hotel Hyatt Regency. According to Kalra, any hospital that meets their safety standards for cleft lip and palate surgeries can also apply for funding with Smile Train.