India’s Rajan Dental Institute along with the Hong Kong Cleft Lip and Palate Unit has established a center which will provide free treatment for congenital facial deformities in the city of Chennai. The center was inaugurated on 6 December 2005 by Professor N. Samman, Director of the Hong Kong Cleft Lip & Palate and President of the Asian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.
The center has tied up with Hong Kong's Prince Philip Dental Hospital for academic and research collaborations, exchange of knowledge in surgical procedures, medication, technology and faculty, according to officials of the two organizations."For the last 10 years, Rajan Dental Institute, along with Raga's Trust and Raga's Dental College, has been performing free surgeries for children. Through this foundation, we wish to keep our dream alive of providing the best medical treatment to the people who most need it," said R. Gunaseelan, Founder-Director of the Foundation and the Rajan Dental Institute.
Twelve-year-old Mary Victoria got her disfigured mouth put into shape at the foundation, a procedure that could have cost Rs.30,000 ($650) or more in an ordinary hospital, for a negligible amount.
"We believe that by making science accessible with non-profit initiatives, one can bring the best healthcare practice within the common man's reach," Gunaseelan said.
"Through this foundation, we wish to realize our dream of providing integrated treatment of contemporary standards to all those who suffer from this deformity."
"We will also work towards spreading awareness among people about congenital deformities and, eventually start research on the problem," he said.
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