Smile Train India Launches a Toll-free Cleft Helpline on National Cleft Day

 200 medical professionals pledge support for Smile Train's Right to Smile campaign

NEW DELHI- To mark the second annual National Cleft Day, Smile Train India has officially launched the country's first toll-free national cleft helpline - Smile Train India Cleft Helpline. The helpline - 1800 103 8301, is accessible to people throughout India who are looking for information about cleft treatment.

The number also serves as a way for those in need to have access to invaluable referral information to the closest Smile Train partner hospital, so they can receive 100%-free, quality and safe cleft treatment. The establishment of the cleft helpline would not have been possible without the generous support from GSK Consumer Healthcare India, under their CSR initiatives.

Talking about the initiative, Mamta Carroll, Vice President and Regional Director - Asia, Smile Train shared, "Smile Train India has been committed to supporting world-class cleft treatment in India, and has already supported over 500,000 free cleft surgeries. On National Cleft Day, we further strengthen this resolve through these initiatives. We thank GSK Consumer Healthcare for their generosity in this initiative."

Navneet Saluja, Managing Director, GSK Consumer Healthcare Ltd. said, "We are delighted to support Smile Train in their endeavour to provide free treatment for cleft. On the occasion of National Cleft Day, we dedicate a new toll-free helpline service to create awareness about cleft surgery supported by Smile Train and their partner hospitals across India. GSK's expertise as a leading specialist in oral health care and with Smile Train's knowledge we aim to ensure more children get quality treatment and care."

February 8 is observed as National Cleft Day by the Indian Society of Cleft Lip, Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies and cleft charities in India. In addition, 200 medical professionals including surgeons, anaesthetists, speech therapists and orthodontists, pledged to bring smiles to children born with clefts, by signing Smile Train India's Right to Smile campaign. The Right to Smile campaign serves as a reminder to all that many children in India continue to live with untreated clefts due to challenges of awareness, accessibility and affordability.