Launch of Comprehensive Cleft Care Reference Centre
Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft‑focused organization, announced the inauguration of the Cleft and Craniofacial Centre at Sree Balaji Medical College Hospital & Dr. Rela Medical Centre in Chennai, designated as a Comprehensive Cleft Care Reference Centre (CCRC). The centre is intended to strengthen multidisciplinary cleft care while serving as a hub for referrals, professional training, research and knowledge sharing.
Program Background and Capabilities
The CCRC builds on one of India’s earliest multidisciplinary cleft‑care programmes, originally established in 2001 through a partnership with Smile Train. The programme, led by Dr Syed Altaf Hussain, has operated in a new state‑of‑the‑art facility at the Sree Balaji Medical College Hospital & Dr. Rela Medical Centre since 2022. The multidisciplinary team provides care across all stages of a patient’s cleft journey, including complex surgeries such as orthognathic surgery (OGS), velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) surgery and alveolar bone grafting (ABG), as well as nutrition, oral health, orthodontics, speech therapy and ENT services.
Academic Affiliation and Regional Role
The centre’s affiliation with Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research enhances its role as a referral, research and resource hub for cleft‑care professionals from across India and abroad. Through the CCRC, Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre will expand its focus on sharing clinical expertise, strengthening multidisciplinary practices and building capacity among healthcare professionals.
Milestone for Smile Train in India
The inauguration coincides with Smile Train marking more than 25 years of supporting cleft care in India. Over this period, Smile Train has facilitated more than 800,000 free cleft surgeries nationwide, working with a network of partner hospitals and medical professionals to expand access to safe, high‑quality treatment and to empower local providers with training, funding and resources.
Executive Statements
Susannah Schaefer, President & CEO of Smile Train, said the launch reflects the organization’s commitment to sustainable models of care that extend beyond individual treatment, emphasizing the importance of integrating clinical expertise with training, research and knowledge sharing. Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President & Regional Director, Asia, Smile Train, noted that cleft care in India has evolved to recognize that surgery is only one part of a longer care journey, and that the CCRC will serve as a platform for strengthening referral networks and developing cleft professionals. Dr Syed Altaf Hussain highlighted that each cleft patient requires multiple interventions over different growth stages, and the new centre will further strengthen referral care and expand contributions to training, research and knowledge exchange.