Smile train makes mission Myanmar Journey

Imphal, May 22: Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, a joint initiative of Smile Train Inc., USA and Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Imphal has set on a journey to render free surgical treatment to cleft lip and palate patients at Monywa, Myanmar. A team of 12 members was flagged off from the campus of Shija Hospitals by Shri G. Gaikhangam , Dy. Chief Minister, Manipur and Shri K. Govindas, Hon’ble Minister- Commerce and Industry, Manipur.

The team of 12 members under the banner of Mission Myanmar left Imphal by surface after the flag off, and will be crossing the Indo Myanmar border on 23rd and reaching Kalewa on the same day where the team will station the night. The team will reach Monywa on 24th and screen the patients and begin the operations. The team members are Dr.Kh Palin and Dr. AK Ibohal, Consultant Plastic Surgery, SHRI, Dr.Sanjib Nepram, HOD Plastic Surgery, RIMS, Dr.Th Dinesh, Consultant Anesthesiology, SHRI, Dr. L.R Singh, Consultant Anesthesiology, Dr. Kh Chetan, Medical Officer, Mr. RK Romen and Mr. Y. Sanjoy, OT Technician, Mrs. Shima Y and Ms.Bishwaya Waikhom, Nurse, Mr. Premjit L, Asst Manager Business Development and Mr. Arun Ng, IT Assistant

Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Manipur has been invited by the Government of Myanmar through Indian Consulate General to render free corrective surgeries for birth defect of cleft lip and palate (Roof of Mouth) in a Government Hospital at Monywa, Sagaing Division, Myanmar.

Worth mentioning is on 15th March 2013 the management of the hospital submitted a proposal to the DC of Tamu offering to extend the service of free cleft lip and palate surgery to the much needed country, Myanmar. The same proposal was given to the 11 Myanmar delegates, including Power Minister of Sagaing region and 2 MPs, when they visited Shija Hospitals on 2nd April 2013.

It is being informed by Dr.U Than Htut, Medical Superintendant of the General Hospital, Monywa that more than 150 cleft patients are waiting for free corrective surgery. The target of the mission is to complete 100 plus surgeries in three days (24th- 27th May 2013) which is likely to be extended for one or two days because of the number. The free surgery camp in Monywa will be an ongoing process.

Mission Myanmar is a triangular effort of the Govt of Myanmar, Smile Train and Shija Hospitals to eradicate the problem of cleft lip and palate in the country of Myanmar. It is said that every 1 in 600 suffer from cleft lip and palate worldwide. According to the Myanmar population it is estimated that there are more than 1,00,000 patients silently suffering from this deformity. It can also be noted that there are very few plastic surgeons in the country of Myanmar.

During the Flag Off ceremony, Chief Guest of the function G. Gaikhangam, Hon’ble Dy. CM, Manipur expressed his happiness over the initiative taken up Shija Hospitals to foster the relation between the two countries of India and Myanmar. He elaborated on the importance of harnessing the opportunities of trade being opened up due to the proximity of Manipur to the other South East Asian countries. He asserted that Health Tourism should ride high among the priorities as the facilities are ready to be offered to our immediate neighbor.

K. Govindas, Hon’ble Minister- Commerce and Industry, Govt. of Manipur and Guest of Honor informed of the development in the effort to give VISA on arrival to the Myanmar nationals.

Dr. Kh Palin, CMD of Shija Hospitals and President of today’s function introduced the team members of Mission Myanmar. He informed that the team will be leaving for Myanmar as the guest of the country as the expenditure for the travel and accommodation will be borne by the Myanmar authorities. The team is also carrying all the consumables and medicine for the project. He reaffirmed that Manipur is at advantageous position to render the service because of the proximity to render the service of free cleft surgery. He also mentioned that he strongly felt that the Mission Myanmar will improve Indo- Myanmar relationship. It will greatly enhance the growth and development of the two nations and is very pleased to be of service to the people of Myanmar and hope to alleviate the suffering from as many cleft patients as possible.

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