Meghalaya has over 3,000 cases of cleft deformities

With an aim to eradicate this backlog, Topcem Cement has partnered with Mission Smile – a government registered charitable trust to spread awareness on cleft surgeries to less privileged children with craniofacial deformities from the state.

Launching the 2nd phase of cleft lip surgery as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the city here on Monday, Meghalaya Cements Ltd (MCL) president Dr Anil Kapur said another 12 children will be provided free cleft surgeries in the second phase.

He said Mission Smile along with the company is working in conjunction with the government of Meghalaya officials to screen and identify patients who require cleft surgeries.

“The cleft surgeries for the 12 children who have been screened and identified have already started in the Comprehensive Cleft Lip Centre at the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital Guwahati under the supervision of expertise doctors,” Dr Anil added.

Earlier, cleft surgeries on 24 persons which include 12 each from Meghalaya and Assam have been successfully conducted in the first phase.

Mission Smile AGM Dipul Malakar informed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with three state governments – Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura for identifying and treating people with cleft deformities in 2012.

He said of the 18,000 plus cleft surgeries that have been successfully conducted in the North East, over 1000 patients are from Meghalaya.

Asked, Dipul informed that there is an estimated backlog of 3,000 people including children living with cleft conditions in the state.

He said there is need to reach out and identify patients as though cleft deformity is not a life threatening disease but if left untreated can have a negative impact on the lives of such patients.

He also appreciated the Topcem Cement for coming forward to extend its support for such cause as the support from the government alone is not enough.

Meanwhile, the Topcem also organized pre-Christmas celebration in collaboration with the Reach Shillong Ministries, Rilang Children Home and Missionaries of Charity to reach out to the less privileged.

The two-day celebration kicked started with a carol rally from Governor’s House to Golflink. Inmates of the open day Shelter Home of the Reach Shillong Ministries besides bikers took part during the rally.

By Our Reporter