Free Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery Under PM-JAY
Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects in India, affecting approximately 1 in 700 births. The good news — surgical repair is completely free under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, and early surgery gives children a normal life with proper speech, feeding, and appearance.
What Is Covered
Cleft Lip Repair (Cheiloplasty): Surgical closure of the cleft in the upper lip. Best performed at 3-6 months of age. A single surgery typically achieves good cosmetic results. Covered under PMJAY plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Cleft Palate Repair (Palatoplasty): Surgical closure of the cleft in the roof of the mouth. Best performed at 9-12 months of age, before speech development begins. Critical for normal speech, feeding, and preventing ear infections.
Secondary Surgeries: Some children need additional surgeries — alveolar bone grafting (age 8-10), rhinoplasty for nasal correction (teenage years), and speech-improving surgeries (pharyngoplasty). Each surgery is a separate PM-JAY claim, fully covered.
Why Early Surgery Matters
Cleft lip repair at 3-6 months allows normal bonding, feeding, and facial development. Cleft palate repair at 9-12 months enables normal speech development. Delayed surgery leads to feeding difficulties, speech problems, ear infections, dental issues, and social stigma. If your child has a cleft, do not delay — PM-JAY makes the surgery free.
Finding the Right Hospital
Cleft surgery requires experienced plastic surgeons. Search for hospitals with plastic and reconstructive surgery empanelment on PMJAYHospitals.com. Major cleft care centres include government medical colleges in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Jaipur. Several NGOs like Smile Train also partner with PM-JAY empanelled hospitals for cleft surgeries.
After Surgery
Speech therapy is essential after palate repair — ideally starting at age 2-3. While PM-JAY covers the surgery and 15 days of post-discharge care, ongoing speech therapy may need to be arranged through government child development centres or NGOs. Dental care and orthodontic treatment for cleft-related dental issues can be planned as the child grows.
Disclaimer: PMJAYHospitals.com is an independent directory. For official information, visit pmjay.gov.in or call 14555.