SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Government through the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has renewed its partnership with Operation Smile India to treat an estimated cleft backlog of more than 3000 patients.
This year, Operation Smile India is planning to conduct 300 surgeries for patients from Meghalaya.
Since January 2013, the State Government has been providing free cleft surgery and associated care to patients through a public-private-partnership with Operation Smile India, a medical charity which provides comprehensive cleft care aiming at social and emotional rehabilitation of cleft patients.
Operation Smile India’s work started in North East India in January 2009, and it conducted its first Mission in Meghalaya in August 2012 followed by an MoU which was signed in January 2013 between the Government of Meghalaya and Operation Smile India.
Patients receive surgery from Operation Smile through two modes of delivery – Medical Mission at the Shillong Civil Hospital – conducted twice a year or surgery at the Operation Smile Comprehensive Cleft Care Centre located at MMC Hospital in Guwahati. The patient along with one guardian is provided with transportation facilities from the respective district to the Mission site or the Guwahati Centre, along with free food and accommodation.
While the patients from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills have generally shown a preference to receive surgery at the Shillong Civil Hospital, patients from Garo Hills have preferred to travel to the Centre at Guwahati for treatment.
