Mr.Raja Jesudoss
Co-Ordinator of Administration
Majority of people of Tamil Nadu live in rural areas. The persons living with Cleft Lip/Palate are spread all over the state particularly in the remote villages. In this situation, mobilization of those persons needs special techniques as per the local The staff at The Regional Smile Train Centre are working in close collaboration with the of MMHRC and public staff for the persons living with cleft lip/ Palate and arrange surgeries at MMHRC locating.
1. Word of mouth: At the time of discharge of patients and during counselling the surgeons, speech pathologists, nurses and others induce the beneficiaries to disseminate the services available at The Regional Smile Train Centre-MMHRC. Those parents patient attendees children with cleft lip/palate of cleft childrens disseminate about the services and bring patients who are in need of surgery.
2. Contact Educational Institutions: Organize orientation meetings and visit the schools in person and explain the free quality services available at the centre for persons living with Cleft Lip/Palate. Brochures are supplied to schools, crèches, colleges etc in case they have students who need surgery.
3. Websites : www.smilemmhrc.org also disseminate the viable services at The Smile Train Regional Centre-MMHRC , and we are able to communicate with those who are in need and thus contact nearby states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka &West Bengal .
4. Hoardings : Fifteen hoardings have been erected at the tourism spots and Bus Stations of each districts. The hoardings designed, erected and maintained by advertising agencies. In brief the hoarding communicates the public about the available free services for persons who need corrective surgeries for Cleft Lip/palate.
5. Exhibition: In Tamil Nadu Government Departments organize book fair and exhibition. We on behalf of The Smile Train Regional Centre –MMHRC, display about the Smile Train Regional Centre-MMHRC.
6. Free Space in Electronic Media: Considering the importance of the issues, the Television channels and Radio give free space and disseminate about the free services available to those who need corrective surgeries. And also they announces the screening camps. i.e date, venue and related information about the camps.
7. Free Space Print Media: Like electronic media, Print media is also disseminating about the Regional Cleft Lip/Palate Centre –MMHRC and help us to mobiles patients.
8. Events (Indoor & Outdoor): We are conducting events like Smile Stone i.e. Smile Stone 1000, Smile Stone 2000, The Smile Train Van inauguration, The Smile Train Regional Centre inauguration etc. These kinds of events are covered by media. Apart from the above said events at MMHRC, we hand over photos of beneficiaries to the district collectors in an organized event, and in the presence of Programme Officer – Integrated Child Development Society, District Rehabilitation Officer, Deputy Director of Health Services, District Educational Officer, etc.
9. Press Meet: Organize regular press meets at MMHRC during the visit of important persons to The Smile Train Regional Centre. Whenever we plan to conduct events, we are conducting Press Meet. Further, during screening camps, the press persons are invited and they disseminate about the camps.
10. Training to Government Staff & NGO’s: We are conducting awareness programs to the government employees and Non-governmental Organizations who are involved in child welfare activities on The Cleft Lip/palate issues. The Government departments conduct survey and invite us to conduct screening camps. Thus we are able to cover one entire district during a particular period and mobilize patients with the help of Government Departments and NGOs.
11. Information Education Communication Materials: Handouts, Posters, Brochures, plastic stickers, posters etc are designed and printed. These IEC are some times sponsored by local NGOS, Government Departments and Corporates. These IEC materials are distributed among the general public.
12. Advertisement in Auto: In sub urban areas and towns the autos are fitted with small hoardings so as to reach the remote areas.
13. Referral Doctors: About 6000 allopathic doctors are referring patients to Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre. These doctors are intimated about the free facilities available for those living with Cleft Lip/palate. While the referral doctors team come across any case with Cleft lip/palate immediately they refer them to us. After the completion of surgeries the details are intimated with photographs for necessary follow up and further services like speech therapy and consultation.
14. In house Magazines: MMHRC publishes annual report, Maruthuvamalar, Broucher’s, Makizhchee, MMJ, Smile stones etc. These in-house publications carry the message about free corrective surgeries for persons with Cleft Lip/palate.
15. Public Announcement through The Smile Train Van: We are having The Smile Train Van with all marketing tools. i.e. Video Projector, Public Address system, IEC materials holders etc. The van itself is printed with appropriate message about Cleft lip/Palate. The marketing personnel use the van to disseminate the matters related to the free services for Cleft Lip/palate deformity.
14. Direct mail: Government Offices of various districts of Tamilnadu, NGO’s, Crèches, Referral Doctors, media are sent regular mails about the Programme.
15. Celebrities visit to The Smile Train Regional Centre: Higher Government Officials, Counsel Generals, Ministers, celebrities and very important personalities are taken to the Smile Train Regional Centre and briefed about the activities.
16. Health Camps: So far we have conducted 90 specialized screening camps to screen the persons who require corrective surgeries for cleft lip/palate. And other general camps conducted by MMHRC for other specialties like i.e. Urology Camps, Eye Camps, etc also display IEC materials on Cleft Lip/Palate and identify the persons with Cleft Lip/palate.
17. Conferences/workshops/ Trainings/ CME: We display and explain about The Smile Train Regional Centre in Conferences/workshops/ Trainings/ CME and disseminate about the Smile Train Regional Centre.
18. Advertisement: We insert regular advertisements in media both print and electronic medias about the screening camps.
- By using the above methods we at Regional Smile Train Centre-MMHRC reach the nook and corners and mobilize patients who need corrective surgeries for the Cleft Lip/Palate deformity.