PESHAWAR, Dec 29: Smile Train, an international NGO, has started offering free treatment to poor children with cleft lip, a press release said here on Monday.

The NGO has been helping children born with cleft lip and palate through a panel of plastic surgeons. As Pakistan ranked the fourth country globally with the number of patients with the deformity that causes difficulty in feeding, speaking and even hearing problems.

Its treatment involves other specialties, such as speech therapy, ENT, faciomaxillary surgery, dental surgery, clinical psychology and anaesthesia which make the treatment more expensive. Even after the operation, the patients are required subsequent follow-up visits.

Peshawar has lately been included after Faisalabad in the regions where SmileTrain, is providing treatment to patients free of cost.

Local plastic surgeon Dr Obaidullah of the SmileTrain said that parents should register their wards with the NGO at the Rehman Medical Institute (morning time) and Aman Hospital (evening time).