Rela Hospital launches centre for cleft and craniofacial care

Mohamed Rela, chairman, Rela Hospital, and Susannah Schaefer, president and CEO of Smile Train, launch event for the Cleft Care Reference Centre on Thursday. | Photo Credit: M. SRINATH Rela Hospital, in association with Smile Train, launched a comprehensive Cleft Care Reference Centre (CCRC) on Thursday.Mohamed Rela, chairman, Rela Hospital, speaking at the launch event said the recognition of the cleft and craniofacial care centre at the hospital as a reference centre marked a significant step in their mission to offer comprehensive cleft care, which was on a par with international standards. The CCRC will bring together specialists across multiple disciplines to ensure treatment reaches all sections of people irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, he said.Susannah Schaefer, president and CEO of Smile Train, said the CCRC would help in building sustainable models of cleft care, which extend beyond individual treatment.J. Srinisha, managing trustee of Sree Balajee Medical College and Hospital, said the recognition of the CCRC was a significant milestone for the hospital. Syed Altaf Hussain, plastic surgeon and director, CCRC, also spoke on the occasion.Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused organisation, and it will help provide access to high-quality, multidisciplinary cleft care, while building clinical capacity through training, research, and knowledge sharing. Published - September 17, 2026 08:12 pm IST