Cleft Palate & Lip Surgery Overview

Thousands of children in Calcutta are born with cleft palates or lips.  This deformity affects not only the child’s appearance but their ability to eat, speak, and breathe.  Mercy Hospital collaborates with Smile Train to provide free surgery for these children.

How to Apply:  A child with a cleft lip or palate is evaluated in the out-patient department by a pediatric physician.  After a complete physical examination and diagnostic tests, a date for surgery is set.  The child is admitted to the hospital the evening prior to surgery. There are no required forms to fill out to apply for surgery.

Post-Surgery Care:  Once a cleft lip or palate surgery is completed, each child rests in the Pediatric Centre to recuperate.  When a child has recovered from the surgery, is eating well, and is displaying no signs of infection, he/she is discharged.  

We want to provide comprehensive care to these children.  With that in mind, we also work with children and their families to provide speech therapy and dental work, when necessary.