The conference brought together surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, speech therapists, orthodontists, and multidisciplinary cleft care professionals from Smile Train's two largest regions. The event reaffirmed the organization's commitment to building stronger, locally led and sustainable healthcare systems through collaboration, continuous learning, and knowledge exchange.
Over the past decade, both India and Africa have made significant progress in expanding access to comprehensive cleft care within their respective regions. Each region has developed distinct areas of excellence through practical experience and field-driven innovation. Indo-Africa Cleft Conference 2026 was designed to unite these achievements by creating opportunities to exchange proven approaches, adopt best practices, and jointly develop solutions that strengthen cleft care across both regions while contributing to Smile Train's global mission of ensuring that every child born with a cleft has access to safe, timely, and comprehensive treatment.
Speaking at the conference, Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, Asia, Smile Train, said that Indo-Africa Synergy represents much more than a conference and reflects the organization's belief that sustainable change is achieved through collaboration. She stated that over the past decade, both India and Africa have developed remarkable expertise through locally led programs, allowing both regions to learn from one another as equal partners. She emphasized that by sharing knowledge, strengthening professional skills, and jointly creating solutions, Smile Train is investing not only in healthcare professionals but also in improved outcomes for every child born with a cleft. She added that the collaboration demonstrates how expertise shared across borders creates an impact that extends far beyond any single country.
Nkeiruka Obi, Vice President and Regional Director, Smile Train Africa, said that India and Africa represent two of Smile Train's largest and most experienced programs, each having developed extensive expertise over many years in delivering safe, high-quality, and comprehensive cleft care within diverse local healthcare environments. She stated that the conference provided an important opportunity to learn from shared experiences, exchange practical solutions and innovations, and strengthen the capabilities of cleft care professionals. She added that by advancing South-South collaboration, Smile Train can accelerate access to quality cleft care for more children and families across both regions.
The two-day conference featured expert discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and hands-on workshops focused on surgical excellence, patient safety, and comprehensive cleft care. Participants also exchanged experiences related to advocacy, community engagement, and healthcare system strengthening, recognizing that sustainable cleft care extends beyond surgical procedures and requires a complete continuum of care.
The conference reflected Smile Train's long-term strategy of strengthening local healthcare systems by investing in medical professionals through continuous training, mentorship, and global knowledge exchange. By promoting collaboration between India and Africa, the organization continues to enhance local capacity and improve comprehensive cleft care services for children in both regions.
Smile Train's programs in Africa began in 2002 and have since expanded to nearly 40 countries, transforming the lives of more than 200,000 individuals affected by cleft conditions.
Since 2000, Smile Train has supported more than 800,000 free cleft surgeries across India through a network of more than 130 partner hospitals. The organization continues to expand access to safe, timely, and comprehensive cleft treatment through sustained investment in healthcare professionals, institutional capacity, and international collaboration.
The successful conclusion of Indo-Africa Cleft Conference 2026 reinforces Smile Train's vision of building sustainable healthcare systems through shared expertise, professional excellence, and cross-border partnerships, ensuring that more children born with cleft conditions receive quality care and a better future.
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