HEALTH - JEEVAN AAROGYA
About Cleft Lip & Palate Surgeries
Cleft lip and palate are congenital defects that are present since birth. These are marked by an opening or slit in the child's upper lip or palate (roof of the mouth) respectively. This happens when the baby's lips and palate do not form properly. These are collectively referred to as orofacial clefts.
Difficulties due to the condition
An infant or an adult with cleft lip/palate is
- likely to have difficulties in breastfeeding
- at increased risk of ear infections and loss of hearing
- at risk of decreased ability of speaking and eating
- highly susceptible to dental problems
- likely to have psychological problems due to associated stigmatisation
A glance at the road map
The Amulya Jeevan Foundation has joined hands with Smile Train, Chirantan Trust and Ashwini Hospital, to facilitate free cleft lip/palate surgeries for children coming from Odisha. We believe that lack of financial resources should not be a reason why a child has to live with a problem that can be easily treated and that is why we reached out to such children with a ray of hope and a heart filled with love.
The initiative was started in February 2022 in the districts of Khurda, Dhenkanal and Puri, with three dedicated staff who reached out to various villages and met the Sarpanches, Block-Level Officers, Anganwadi Workers and Public Health Centres Workers. This was done to identify children with cleft lip/palate, after which our team convinced them and their parents for surgery.
The team then coordinated with the hospital and arranged a pick and drop facility for the patients from their homes, along with follow-up calls for the next check-up or surgery. We came across many children who couldn't qualify for the surgery as they were malnourished and underweight. Our staff helped them with special nutrition packages that were provided by the hospital. In Feb'22-March'22, 12 surgeries were successfully done.
Since August 2022, AJF has inducted a team of six. The teams are posted in North, South, East and West zones of Odisha for reaching out to a greater number of patients. From April'22-December'22, AJF has facilitated 105 surgeries.
Heartfelt thanks to our partners
Smile Train
Smile Train, an International NGO is the world's largest cleft-focused organization that has supported over 1.5 million children with cleft lip and palate, across the globe. Smile train has reached out to 90+ countries in the past 22 years. The charitable organization ties up with hospitals to provide 100 per cent free cleft repair surgery and care to children, helping them lead a better life.
Chirantan Trust
Chirantan Trust, a Bengaluru based NGO, that aims at providing quality healthcare facilities to people coming from marginalized sections of society. For the last decade, Chirantan Trust has supported the identification of people born with cleft lip/palate in North and South India, as well as facilitated free treatment for around 10,000 people.
Ashwini Hospital
Ashwini Hospital, a multi-specialty hospital at Cuttack, is one of the greatest pioneers in offering free treatment to people born with cleft lip/palate. The hospital has tied up with Smile Train, to make a wider impact by creating awareness and reaching out to as many people as possible, with unparalleled treatment and care.
The Amulya Jeevan Foundation
It all began with Avinash Khemka, industrialist from Cuttack, reaching out to provide sustenance to the migrant labourers traveling along Odisha's highway during the 2020 lockdown. His inner compulsion and compassion grew in extent and intensity of support, as many around him were inspired to add momentum to the campaign. He decided to make this a continuing cause in his life and thus was born The Amulya Jeevan Foundation, a Charitable Trust
Mr. Avinash Khemka on The Amulya Jeevan Foundation's Covid Relief Initiative
Watch Mr. Avinash Khemka, Founder of The Amulya Jeevan Foundation, elaborating on the Foundation's Covid relief initiatives, in an exclusive interview on Nandighosh TV.
Amulya Jeevan - Every life is precious.
Life is beautiful and precious, and we understand it's worth. That is why, Amulya Jeevan has come forth to make a difference and transform as many lives as possible.
The Amulya Jeevan Foundation is an organisation that lends a helping hand to the most vulnerable section of the society. Upholding the ideology that every life is precious, AJF reaches out to people in need and distress and supports them. From providing free meals to the hungry, quality education to the poor, healthcare to the needy, livelihood to the downtrodden and shelter to the deserted, AJF tries to bring a qualitative change in the lives of people in distress. AJF has a dedicated team of volunteers who reach out to people far and wide with helping hands and a smile on their faces.
