Guwahati, May 23: Topcem Cement, in partnership with Mission Smile, has launched its 8th Free Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery Camp in Guwahati, offering life-changing procedures to 25 children from Assam.
Held at the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital’s Mission Smile Guwahati Comprehensive Cleft Lip Centre, the week-long camp began on May 20 and is led by top medical professionals. This effort continues Topcem Cement’s long-term mission to improve the lives of children with cleft deformities across Assam and Meghalaya.
Since the initiative began in 2018, Topcem has supported more than 190 surgeries. “This year, we are honoured to support 25 children in Assam,” said Dr. Anil Kapur, senior president of sales & marketing at Meghalaya Cements Ltd.
“Our commitment to social impact is unwavering, and we’re proud to contribute 50% of the surgery costs, with the rest covered by the Assam government,” Kapur said.
Each camp provides free consultations, surgeries, and post-operative care. Beyond medical treatment, it raises awareness about early intervention for cleft conditions—critical for proper speech, nutrition, and social development.
Mission Smile, a government-registered medical charitable trust, has been instrumental in cleft care in Northeast India. Since 2009, under Operation Smile, Mission Smile has collaborated with the state’s health department to perform over 22,000 cleft surgeries in Assam alone.
An estimated 1,000 children are born each year in the state with cleft conditions, with the regional figure nearing 1,500.
“The Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital-based Comprehensive Cleft and Child Care Centre plays a crucial role in our mission to create a ‘cleft-free Assam’,” said Dipul Malakar, assistant general manager of Operation Smile. The centre provides year-round surgeries and follow-up care, ensuring continued support for affected children.
Topcem Cement has helped deliver over 190 surgeries across Assam and Meghalaya and pledges to keep expanding access to critical cleft care.
