𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, continues to extend the reach of comprehensive cleft care (CCC) in the country with the opening of its latest CCC center in San Fernandino Hospital.

“We hope to reach out more families and let them know that we are here to help for free, through our Smile Train Center here at San Fernandino,” said San Fernandino Hospital Medical Director and Smile Train Surgeon Dr. Edmund Mercado and Felix Grimares, Jr., Smile Train’s Program Director for the Philippines.

Joining Dr. Mercado during the launch were Dr. Jennifer Mercado, Smile Train Lead and As Smile Train marks its 25th anniversary this year, the launch of this latest CCC center in the Philippines underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting safe and quality cleft care for children and people with clefts here and around the world. Smile Train’s ongoing success in continuously evolving the local response to cleft is also reflected in its ever-expanding partnership network of hospitals, doctors, and volunteers – with the San Fernandino Hospital a welcome and valued addition. 

“San Fernandino Hospital has been helping Smile Train deliver essential treatment and care to people with cleft in the northern provinces of the Philippines over a decade,” said Grimares.

 “Our achieving more than 80,000 supported cleft surgeries milestone would not have been possible without the valuable partnership of institutions such as San Fernandino Hospital, and the opening of this new CCC center signals our unified and renewed commitment toward reinforcing the growing comprehensive cleft care system in the country,” added the national program director. 

Extending Access and Enriching Cleft Care Resources in Pampanga Through the collective efforts of Smile Train and its partners, indigent communities in Pampanga have access to 100% free cleft surgeries including pre- and post-operative care. Services such as orthodontic and dental treatment along with speech therapy following cleft surgery are just some of the essential treatments Pampangueños and families from nearby provinces will have access to all year at no cost. 

“The San Fernandino CCC center aims to support Smile Train’s overall mission of ensuring the long-term, successful rehabilitation of children affected with clefts, servicing the Northern Luzon region. This new center helps us save and change more lives the best way we know how–through smiles,” said Grimares. 

To reach the Smile Train in San Fernandino Hospital and avail free services,  contact (045) 9615105, (045) 9611406, 09451122883.