Smile Train India Marks 800,000 Free Cleft Surgeries, Focuses on Early Diagnosis

New Delhi, July 20, 2026: On World Cleft Awareness Day (WCAD), observed globally on July 20, Smile Train India announced that it has supported more than 800,000 free cleft surgeries across the country since 2000. Marking the milestone, the organisation has renewed its focus on raising awareness to promote early diagnosis and timely treatment for children born with cleft lip and palate.

World Cleft Awareness Day was introduced by Smile Train in 2025 to increase public awareness of cleft conditions and improve access to comprehensive treatment. According to the organisation, nearly 35,000 children are born with clefts in India every year, but many miss the recommended treatment window due to stigma, myths and lack of awareness.

Delayed treatment can lead to feeding difficulties, malnutrition, speech and hearing impairments, as well as long-term social and emotional challenges. Smile Train India said early diagnosis and timely surgery are critical to improving health outcomes and ensuring access to comprehensive care.

Beyond surgery, the organisation provides nutritional support, speech therapy and orthodontic treatment through its network of partner hospitals. It also focuses on building local healthcare capacity by training surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and multidisciplinary cleft care teams to deliver treatment closer to patients' homes.

As part of this year's awareness campaign, Smile Train India has engaged partners, donors, ambassadors, cleft-affected individuals and families to promote conversations around cleft care through social media and community outreach.

Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director – Asia, Smile Train, said, "We've made real progress expanding access to treatment, but awareness remains our toughest battle. Every day, children arrive at our doors months or even years later than they should have, not because treatment wasn't there, but because their families never knew cleft could be treated or feared the stigma that so often surrounds it. If we can close that awareness gap, we can reach these children in time and make sure not a single one is left waiting."

On the occasion of World Cleft Awareness Day, Smile Train India urged parents, caregivers, healthcare professionals, policymakers and communities to support early diagnosis and help address misconceptions surrounding cleft conditions.