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Marikina St. Vincent’s Official Launch is Announced by Smile Train Comprehensive Cleft Care Center at General Hospital

Standing from left: Mercedes Litan, HMO/Philhealth Staff; Charlie Bacerra, Nurse; PS Ramos, Patient Coordinator/Nurse; Dr. Edmund Mercado, Chief of Clinics and Head of Surgery, Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital; Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines; Giorgia Danga, Speech Language Pathologist; Van Davidon, Communications Manager for Southeast Asia, Smile Train; Dr. Chrys Marquez, Orthodontist. Seated from left: Tompet Lolarga, Program Manager, Smile Train Philippines; Bettina Mercado, Smile Train Student Ambassador; Dr. Jenny Deoduco-Mercado, Program Coordinator for Smile Train, Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital; Dr. Emmanuel Bueno, Medical Director, Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital; Dr. Jocelyn Rivera, Pediatrician Consultant
As the hospital formally opens its Smile Train Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) center, Smile Train and the Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital renew their commitment to offering the community safe and high-quality cleft treatment as they commemorate their 12-year partnership in improving the lives of those born with clefts.

For adults and kids born with a cleft lip and/or palate, access to safe, effective, and timely treatment is improved thanks to Smile Train’s sustainable strategy of collaboration with regional hospitals and medical professionals. The Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital provides free cleft surgery, orthodontic and dental care, and speech therapy, like many of its CCC partners. Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to make a donation.

In the Philippines, where more than 5,000 babies are born with a cleft palate every year, access to various cleft-related treatments remains vital. Thus, individuals living in Marikina, Rizal, and nearby provinces who are unable to afford cleft care will continue to benefit from these services, which are essential components of effective and impactful cleft treatment. Families who learn of the high-quality treatment at the center travel from all over the country to receive care in the hospital.

“It has been 12 years since we partnered with Smile Train to provide free treatment and care for individuals with cleft and their families. Being able to offer comprehensive cleft care strengthens our resolve to provide life-changing treatment for the cleft community all-year round and in the future,” says Dr. Jenny Deoduco-Mercado, Program Coordinator for Smile Train at Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital.

Aside from Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital, Smile Train offers comprehensive cleft care through partners such as the Philippine Band of Mercy, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, San Fernandino Hospital in Pampanga, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation in ARC Hospital in Cebu, and Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao. Through the help of its partners, Smile Train has been able to support more than 68,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines.

“To date, our partnership with Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital has helped thousands of Filipinos in need of comprehensive cleft care, performing over 4,900 life-changing surgeries. As the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, it is our vision to partner with more local hospitals and make cleft care more accessible for Filipinos all-year round,” said Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines.

Visit smiletrain.ph/get-help to find out more about the local programs offered by Smile Train in the Philippines and to suggest a patient who needs aid. Like Smile Train Philippines on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines and follow us on Instagram at @SmileTrainPh

 

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