Shillong, Dec 17: Topcem Cement has partnered with Mission Smile, a government registered charitable trust to spread awareness on cleft surgeries to less privileged children with craniofacial deformities from the state.
Meghalaya has a backlog of over 3,000 persons living with untreated cleft conditions.
The cement company (Topcem) known as Meghalaya Cements Ltd (MCL) launched its 2nd phase of cleft lip surgery as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the city on Monday.
Meghalaya Cements Ltd (MCL) president Dr Anil Kapur said that 12 children will be provided free cleft surgeries in the second phase, and the Mission Smile along with the company would work in conjunction with the Meghalaya government officials to screen and identify patients who require cleft surgeries.
He said that cleft surgeries for the 12 children have already started in the Comprehensive Cleft Lip Centre at the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital Guwahati under the supervision of experienced doctors.
Earlier, cleft surgeries on 24 persons which include 12 each from Meghalaya and Assam have been successfully conducted in the first phase.
Mission Smile AGM, Dipul Malakar informed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with three state governments – Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura for identifying and treating people with cleft deformities in 2012.
He said of the 18,000 plus cleft surgeries that have been successfully conducted in the North East, over 1000 patients are from Meghalaya.
He also appreciated the Topcem Cement for coming forward to extend its support for such cause as the support from the government alone is not enough.
On the occasion the Topcem Cement also organized a pre-Christmas celebration in collaboration with the Reach Shillong Ministries, Rilang Children Home and Missionaries of Charity to reach out to the less privileged.
The two-day celebration kicked started with a carol rally from Governor’s House to Golflink. Inmates of the open day Shelter Home of the Reach Shillong Ministries besides bikers took part in the rally.