Smile Train India

As a part of our commitment to comprehensive cleft care, we prioritize early intervention, starting with nutrition counselling and care immediately after birth. Our cleft nutrition program equips treatment partners to provide critical nutritional support and feeding counseling to parents of children with clefts. This National Nutrition Month, we hosted a special workshop on “Nutrition in Cleft Care” at Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The workshop, held from September 2 to 6, focused on the essential role of nutrition in the management and treatment of clefts. The workshop aimed to educate nutritionists, nurses, and medical officers on effective feeding techniques and provide hands-on training under the supervision of expert paediatricians and nutritionists to enhance their ability to support and guide parents. With 28 participants joining from across the country, this initiative is a testament to our ongoing effort to strengthen and expand our cleft care services across the country. #CleftCare #ComprehensiveCleftCare #Nutrition #POSHANMaah Leela Negi Imam

“Maha Smiles – Cleft Care For Every Child” project, in partnership with Bajaj Finserv, is setting a new standard in cleft care! On August 25, 2024, Dharashiv District in Maharashtra (erstwhile Osmanabad) witnessed the largest-ever gathering of ASHA workers, with nearly 1,500 participants attending a cleft awareness session. The workshop, conducted by Smile Train partner surgeon Dr Vithal Lahane, aimed to equip ASHA workers, the first point of contact for mothers and families, with essential knowledge about clefts, its management, and treatment options. Special focus was given on cleft nutrition and overcoming feeding challenges faced by children with clefts. Smile Train’s ‘Cleft Care FAQ Booklet’, designed to serve as a practical resource of information was handed over to all the ASHAs to support them meet the communities. The event was attended by the District Health Officer, Dharashiv, Dr Satish Haridas, representatives from Bajaj Finserv CSR – Shubhangi Bochare and Akshay Choudhari, and Smile Train India representatives.    Join us in our drive to spread cleft awareness and support life-changing treatment to children in need. Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to smile and thrive.    For more information or to get involved, please visit our website https://lnkd.in/dZwRncR4 or contact Smile Train India at [email protected].    #CleftAwareness #Empowerment #FrontlineWorkers #ASHA #Collaboration Kurush Irani Swapna Wazalwar Bajaj Finserv CSR Anjali K Sharmistha Chakraborty

In partnership with Bajaj Finserv, our “Maha Smiles” initiative aims to identify and treat clefts early in Maharashtra. The project with its multidimensional approach will support free cleft surgeries, build medical capacity, train frontline workers, and create community awareness to transform lives and help children lead healthier and fuller lives. Watch this episode on The Changemakers on NDTV to know more. Bajaj Finserv Bajaj Finserv CSR #TheChangekamers #SmileTrainIndia #CleftAwareness #Partnership

🌟Sakshi Can't Hide Her Smile 🌟 Kavita and Basant were filled with fear when they learned their daughter Sakshi would be born with a cleft. The early days were challenging, but discovering Smile Train and receiving free treatment at Goyal Hospital changed everything. Today, Sakshi is a happy four-year-old, her laughter lighting up their lives. Her story is a testament to the power of early cleft care. Read the full story of Sakshi's transformation and how Smile Train is making a difference: https://bit.ly/4crUPBc #SmileTrain #CleftCare #ChangingLives

As part of our Cleft Awareness Month initiatives, we recently organized four impactful sessions on cleft awareness at NDMC schools in Delhi, reaching more than 2,500 students from all age groups. These interactive and educational sessions were designed not only to inform students about clefts but also to deepen their understanding, cultivate empathy, and foster a culture of acceptance. In a country where more than 35,000 children are born with a cleft each year, raising comprehensive awareness about cleft treatment, acceptance, and inclusivity demands a collective effort from all segments of the society. We strongly believe that students, with their infinite energy and potential, can be pivotal in driving this change. By equipping them with the knowledge and understanding needed to champion this cause, we are nurturing a new generation of advocates who can help transform the world—one smile at a time. Building on the success of this campaign, we are now looking forward to expanding these efforts to other regions to create a momentum. #CleftAwarenessMonth #NCCAPM #SchoolAwareness Rahul Jha Kritodhee Lahiri

Another Milestone in Patient Safety! We are thrilled to announce the launch of the flagship "Nursing Care & Management in Cleft Lip and Palate" course, a collaborative initiative between Smile Train India and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. The first batch of this six-day course was facilitated from July 22 to July 27 at CMC, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. This course is a key component of Smile Train’s Safety Mentorship Program, designed to elevate safe, quality care for children with clefts. Developed by College of Nursing, the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Anaesthesia at CMC Vellore, the course aims to enhance the safety and treatment quality for children at Smile Train Partner Hospitals. Utilizing a blended teaching method, it presents a comprehensive nursing care pathway, ensuring safe and exceptional care throughout the different phases of treatment. The inaugural batch was attended by 22 nurses and OT Technicians from various Smile Train partner hospitals across different states. The program is led by Dr. Vinitha Ravindran, Dean of Nursing at CMC, with support from experts from other departments of CMC, Vellore. This initiative underscores our commitment to our number one priority: safety and quality in cleft care.   #PatientSafety #NursingExcellence #CleftCare #SmileTrainIndia #Training Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Vinitha Ravindran Leela Negi Imam Dr Charvee alice sony Ekta Rai

In her 17 years as a Smile Train partner, Sister Shoba has personally helped between 10 and 15 thousand children receive new smiles and new outlooks on life. She embodies Smile Train’s “teach a person to fish” model by training healthcare workers around the world to provide high-quality cleft care, 100% free for families in need. As we celebrated our 25th anniversary this year in New York, we could think of no more worthy recipient of our Teach a Woman to Fish Award than this heroic nurse in Thrissur, India, whose kindness, devotion, perseverance, and passion for education epitomizes everything Smile Train stands for and strives to be. We are so grateful for our local medical partners like Sister Shoba and the incredible team at Jubilee Mission Hospital, who save children’s lives every day. Your continued support makes her life-changing work, and that of our 1,000+ other selfless partners around the world, possible.

🌟 Last week, Smile Train supported the 16th Asian Congress on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Chennai as the principal knowledge partner! 🌟 Smile Train Simulare Medical Workshop was a pivotal part of the event, where 60 maxillofacial surgeons from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Nepal, and Sri Lanka received hands-on training in different cleft surgery techniques. In a special moment at the inaugural event, Smile Train was awarded for our 25 years of global service to cleft care. 🎉 Additionally, we proudly pledged support for a surgical fellowship in partnership with Asian Association Fellowship Program, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to building the next generation of cleft care professionals in the region. Thank you to all our partners and supporters for making this event a success! #SmileTrain #ACOMS2024 #CleftCare #GlobalHealth #CommitmentToCare #25YearsOfService Smile Train Anjali K Renu Mehta Leela Negi Imam Dr Charvee Ritu Sharma Kevin Sonthensei Haokip (Cleft Proud) Sharmistha Chakraborty Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya Dipesh Rao Dr Pritham Shetty Sheila Koyyana Parth Gaur Dr.Varun Menon P .MDS, MFDSRCPS,MFDSRCSEd, MFDRCSI,MOMSRCS(Ed),FIBCSOMS,FAOCMF,F.P.F.A

We at Smile Train are thrilled to be featured on CNBC-TV18, showcasing our transformative work in India and globally. The special feature, titled “Inclusive Health: Bridging Gaps for Children with Birth Differences,” features our President and CEO, Susannah Schaefer, Senior Vice President and Regional Director – Asia, Mamta Carroll, and Smile Train India Medical Advisory Chairperson and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya. The speakers spotlight Smile Train's life-changing work over the past 25 years and its lasting impact on cleft care worldwide, emphasizing our focus on regional capacity building, awareness generation, and partnerships. Watch the full feature on CNBC TV18 to learn more about our work and impact. #SmileTrain #CleftCare #TransformingLives #CNBCTV18 Anjali K