DOCTOR WHO PROVIDES FREE TREATMENT FOR CLEFT LIP AND PALATE
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| Dr.Edenvallah, Head, ‘Charles Pinto Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate’, Jubilee Mission Hospital, Thrissur |
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70-year-old Parsi doctor Edenvallah is in Kerala since the last 43 years bringing smiles to the ones suffering from cleft lip and palate. The doctor, who is head of the ‘Charles Pinto Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate’ at Jubilee Mission Hospital, Thrissur, collaborates with an international organization, ‘Smile Train’, to provide free treatment for those under his care.
Cleft lip and palate require multiple surgeries to set right. Even a single surgery would cost Rs.7000 to Rs. 10000, which an ordinary person can ill-afford.
Disregarding the advice of his father to go abroad for higher studies, when he joined the hospital 43 years ago, it was only a small dispensary. As the number of surgical cases increased, he tried to seek financial assistance from a Dutch organization and well-wishers back home. However, even this proved to be insufficient.
It was at this time that his wife Gulnar read about an organization ‘Smile Train’. She wrote to them seeking assistance for her husband’s work and they responded positively. With the assistance of ‘Smile Train’ and another Dutch organization, he was able to perform 535 surgeries last year.
Dr.Edenvallah, who is a member of ‘International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation’ as well as ‘Association of Plastic Surgeons of India’, is very modest about his achievements. “Everything by the Grace of the merciful Lord,” he says.
He stresses the contribution of his wife too. “During the initial days, my wife used to assist me in surgery as an anesthetist, though she had no formal training in the matter. She had to bear with much inconveniences to help me”.
A child before and after surgery
Courtesy: Staff Representative (text), Jijo John (photo), Vanitha, January 1-14, 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
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