Rela Hospital and Smile Train Launch Comprehensive Cleft Care Reference Centre in Chennai
Chennai: Smile Train has announced the designation of the Cleft and Craniofacial Centre at Sree Balaji Medical College Hospital and Dr Rela Medical Centre, Chennai, as a Comprehensive Cleft Care Reference Centre (CCRC).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening access to multidisciplinary cleft care while expanding clinical training, research, referrals and knowledge sharing among cleft care professionals.
A commemorative plaque marking the CCRC was unveiled by Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO, Smile Train, in the presence of Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, Asia, Smile Train; Dr J Srinisha, Chairperson, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital; Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman, Rela Hospital; and Dr Syed Altaf Hussain, Director, The Cleft and Craniofacial Centre.
The centre builds on a multidisciplinary cleft care programme established in association with Smile Train in 2001. Since 2022, the programme has been operating from the facility at Sree Balaji Medical College Hospital and Dr Rela Hospital.
The centre provides cleft care for children from birth through the completion of growth and beyond. Its multidisciplinary team includes specialists in plastic, maxillofacial and ENT surgery, paediatrics, paediatric anaesthesiology, orthodontics, speech and hearing, nutrition, oral health and clinical psychology.
Treatment services include primary lip and palate repair and alveolar bone grafting, along with secondary procedures such as revision surgeries, distraction osteogenesis, orthognathic surgery, treatment for velopharyngeal dysfunction and cleft rhinoplasty.
With the CCRC designation, the centre will also focus on referral services, professional training and research. Its affiliation with Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research further supports its role as a referral, research and resource hub for cleft care professionals from India and abroad.
Speaking at the event, Susannah Schaefer said the reference centre model brings clinical expertise together with training, research and knowledge sharing, with the aim of strengthening cleft care beyond individual treatment.
Dr J Srinisha said the recognition marks a significant milestone for the institution and reflects its focus on multidisciplinary cleft care, research and training. She added that the collaboration with Smile Train aims to improve access to comprehensive care for children with clefts.
Prof. Mohamed Rela said the centre’s recognition as a reference centre represents a step towards providing comprehensive cleft care in line with international standards. He also highlighted the role of multidisciplinary specialists and the collaboration with Smile Train in extending care to people irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds.
Dr Syed Altaf Hussain, Plastic Surgeon and Director, The Cleft and Craniofacial Centre, said individuals with cleft conditions can require different interventions and specialist care at various stages of growth and development. He said the CCRC would build on the centre’s existing multidisciplinary programme while strengthening referral care, training, research and knowledge sharing.
