Key Center Training Project
The Smile Train worked to increase the medical quality and the number
of children reached in China through a network of Key Centers. This
network consisted of top medical university hospitals renowned for
their Stomatology and Reconstructive Surgery departments. Each medical
university hospital Key Center acted as the learning center and
worked with a number of satellite hospitals to provide treatment
for indigent children residing in the respective region. Special
attention was paid to the more remote and poor areas of China that
did not have adequate access to quality cleft care resources.
Partnerships with four medical university hospitals were established.
They were located in the following major cities: Xian in the northwest
region, Wuhan in the central region, Beijing in the northern region
and Chengdu in the southwest region.
The Smile Train Key Center Initiative Successes:
Provided training for a total of approximately 90 surgeons and
30 pediatric anesthesiologists that enhanced their proficiency
in treating cleft anomalies.
Facilitated approximately 2,000 cleft lip and/or cleft palate
surgeries for indigent children at the Key Centers while training
satellite hospital doctors.
Patients in need were determined and certified by the China
Charity Federation (CCF), an affiliate of the Ministry of Civil
Affairs.
