Marking World Cleft Awareness Day, Smile Train India has announced that it has supported more than 800,000 free cleft surgeries for children across the country since 2000, while launching a renewed nationwide campaign to promote early diagnosis and awareness of cleft lip and palate. The organisation said nearly 35,000 children are born with clefts in India every year, but many miss timely treatment because of myths, misinformation, and social stigma. World Cleft Awareness Day, observed globally on July 20 and introduced by Smile Train in 2025, aims to bring cleft care into mainstream public health discussions and ensure every affected child receives timely treatment. Beyond surgery, Smile Train India’s comprehensive care model includes nutritional support, speech therapy and orthodontic treatment. The NGO also focuses on strengthening healthcare systems by training local surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and multidisciplinary cleft teams to deliver free, high-quality care through partner hospitals across the country.
In West Bengal, Smile Train India’s network of eight active partner hospitals has supported more than 30,000 free cleft surgeries, reflecting the state’s significant contribution to the national milestone. The organisation said its sustainability-driven approach enables children to receive specialised treatment closer to home while building long-term healthcare capacity. Senior Vice President and Regional Director – Asia, Smile Train, Mamta Carroll, said that although access to treatment has expanded considerably, awareness remains the biggest challenge, with many children reaching hospitals months or even years late because families are unaware that clefts are treatable or fear social stigma. She urged parents, healthcare professionals, policymakers, media and communities to work together to encourage early diagnosis and dispel misconceptions surrounding clefts.
Kolkata’s well-established healthcare ecosystem and growing network of specialised hospitals position the city as a key centre for advanced cleft care in eastern India. Increased awareness campaigns and early diagnosis initiatives are expected to strengthen demand for specialisedpaediatric, speech therapy and rehabilitation services while reinforcing the city’s role as a regional healthcare hub serving patients from West Bengal and neighbouring states. Smile Train India has also encouraged families seeking free cleft treatment to contact its toll-free helpline at 1800 103 8301 for assistance.