Prof SM Balaji, an eminent Chennai-based Oral and Craniofacial Surgeon attended the 13th World Cleft Lip and Palate Congress held in Nagoya, Japan. This was held in conjunction with the 59th Congress of the World Teratology Society.

He is amongst the earliest members of the board of the ICPF. As one of the leading Cleft Lip and Palate Surgeons in the world, he was requested by the Board of the ICPF to toast the over 500 delegates from 79 countries who were in attendance at the congress. He delivered it in his usual style, peppered with his trademark humor with an underlying message to serve humanity.