Shri. Conrad Dennis, CEO Mission Smile inaugurated a three-day screening cum surgery for cleft lip and cleft Palate at Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, organised by District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) – RBSK, Jaintia Hills in Collaboration with Mission Smile, Guwahati today the 10th November, 2025.
During the screening, 40 children were examined of which 30 children were found fit for the surgery, 22 from West Jaintia hills and 8 from East Jaintia hills. The Surgery for these 30 children will be conducted tomorrow onwards by the team from Smile Mission.
The RBSK provides free screening and surgical treatment for Birth Defects Health conditions like cleft and palate in children upto 18 years of age.
In his address, Shri. Conrad Dennis, CEO Mission Smile expressed gratitude to RBSK, the government of Meghalaya, the National Health Mission, the DCIC and Dr. Norman Hospital for their collaboration and unwavering support in making this noble initiative possible.
He said, “Mission Smile believes that gifting smiles to children born with cleft lips and palates is truly a work of God. When we repair a lip or palate not just the child but the whole family and community smiles. We are gifting smiles and transforming lives.”
Shri. Dennis shared that cleft lip is the second most common congenital deformity in India, one in every 700 children is born with the condition. That is around 35,000 new cases annually. He added that Mission Smile is doing its best, in its own small way, to change young lives. Quoting an old saying, he said, “Little drop of water, little grains of sand make a mighty ocean.”
He expressed his sincere gratitude to Dr.Hitiesh Sharma who has performed over 8,000 cleft surgeries, making him one of the most experienced cleft surgeons in India along with his team Dr. Kushboo, Dr. Sweeth, Dr. Parna, Dr, Kayal and all the nurses and supporting staff fulfilled their diligence.
He also thanked Shri. D.Malakar, Operation Head, Mission Smile, Guwahati who quietly ensures everything runs smoothly. He also extends his best wishes to the surgeons who will be conducting the surgeries, to be led by Dr. Hitesh and his team from 11th to 13th November, 2025.
(Mrs) I Gatphoh, State Nodal Officer, RBSK, Shillong, in her speech, said that under the RBSK also known as Child Health Screening and Intervention Services program today’s initiative at Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital represents a remarkable step forward in providing corrective surgeries and specialised care for children.
This program not only restores their smiles but also gives them renewed confidence and the opportunity to lead healthier, happier lives, she added.
Dr. Gatphoh said, the primary objective of RBSK is to ensure early identification and timely management of health conditions among children from birth to 18 years of age, focusing on defects at birth, deficiencies, development delays including disabilities. Through these initiatives, she said, the aim is to reach every child, detecting conditions early and providing free treatment through dedicated referral and supportive service delivered by mobile health teams.
Dr. I Gatphoh, extended her heartfelt thanks to the entire Mission Smile team led by the CEO of Mission Smile Shri. Conrad Dennis, the doctors, nurses and supporting staff for their willingness to travel to Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital, Jowai and support this important initiative.
She also mentioned that as highlighted by Dr. Handaka L Suting more than 326 surgeries have already been completed under this partnership for then Jaintia Region. Dr. Gatphoh said it through the kindness and effort of the Smile Mission team that these children can now study, dream and believe in themselves.
Dr. (Mrs) Handaka L Suting, DEIC Manager, West Jaintia Hills Jowai, Dr. (Ms) D Nongpluh Medical Superintendent Dr. Norman Tunnel, Hospital, Jowai, Rev. D.Swer, Chaplain, Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital, Jowai and Dr. EA Pasweth, Paediatrician, DEIC, Jowai along with the DEIC Team and RBSK MHTs of both East and West Jaintia Hills were also present.
