Chennai: The ‘Umeed-Smile’ initiative by Fortis healthcare recently completed 100 cleft lip surgeries under the programme by Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
The 100th case of a four-month-old girl, Vedika, was performed for her cleft lip surgery by Dr Gagan Sabharwal, consultant, Dentistry and Maxillo-Facial
Surgery and Dr. Rashmi Taneja, senior consultant, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the institute recently.The patient, Vedika was first diagnosed with a cleft lip condition when her mother was in her seventh month of pregnancy.
After her birth, she was unable to drink her mother's milk and faced breathing difficulties. The family could not support her treatment with their monthly income of Rs 7,500. However, Vedika was treated under the Umeed-Smile initiative later.
“There is very little awareness among the public that conditions such as cleft lip and palate deformities can be treated successfully. We are trying to create awareness. These surgeries are indicative of our pledge as doctors to make the maximum effort and help patients recover and lead normal lives irrespective of their economic status,” said Dr Gagan Sabharwal.
The programme provides free surgeries for Cleft lip and palate to children from economically weaker sections of society.
