30 July 2021

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Smile Train launches Cleft Leadership Center in India

Katherine E. Pfaff

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NGO Smile Train has begun a global initiative to open Cleft Leadership Centers (CLCs) to increase access to cleft palate care. Care through CLC is free to patients and is intended to model top-quality care for local practitioners. The centers are staffed with comprehensive care teams that include dental, ENT, nutrition, speech therapy, orthodontics, and counseling. 

Centers are planned in Brazil, Chile, India, Ghana, Mexico, Philippines, and Vietnam. Following those openings, an additional 10 CLCs are planned in low to middle-income countries. 

A CLC is being launched in Bangalore, India, at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain hospital and will act as a training center.  "The impact of CLCs will extend far beyond cleft care. They will strengthen health systems throughout these countries and regions," said Smile Train President & CEO Susannah Schaefer. "They are one of the many ways that Smile Train, our Global Medical Advisory Board, local Medical Advisory Councils, and our partners are leading the way for sustainable improvements to global health systems to create a better standard of care and healthier, happier future everywhere we work."

Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ngo-smile-train-announces-first-of-its-kind-cleft-leadership-center-in-india-807628922.html