Around 150 children with disabilities due to cleft lip and palate will receive free surgery under the “For children’s smiles” programme being run by humanitarian organisations in Nghe An.
Accordingly, from 16–20 October, all children with facial deformities in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces will receive free examinations and surgery. The programme is jointly run by the Nghe An Children’s Protection Fund, Operation Smile and Vinh International Hospital. All costs for examinations and surgery (an estimated 700 million VND) will be funded by Sika Vietnam.
According to a reporter at Vinh International Hospital, on the morning of 16 October about 100 children with congenital deformities of the jaw and face had been brought by their parents for examination. All the cases seen this time were from families in remote mountainous districts and disadvantaged areas of the three provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. The parents brought their children in the hope that doctors would examine them and operate free of charge so that they could regain their “children’s smiles”.
Dr. Pham Xuan Anh – Director of Vinh International Hospital – said: in the two years 2016 & 2017, the hospital worked with Operation Smile and sponsors to organise three rounds of free examinations and surgery for children with jaw and facial deformities. More than 200 children have been successfully operated on.
“Jaw and facial deformity, also known as cleft lip and palate, is a congenital disability. Depending on the case, doctors will draw up individual treatment plans. However, on average each child has to undergo 2–3 operations, each costing 6–8 million VND. This is a large sum for families in difficult circumstances in remote areas” – Dr. Xuan Anh shared.
Mr. Vi Ngoc Huynh – Deputy Director of the Nghe An Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs – said: the department’s statistics show that in Nghe An and neighbouring areas there are more than 22,000 children in difficult circumstances, including more than 12,000 children with disabilities of various kinds who need surgery. We therefore always hope that more charitable organisations and benefactors will support these children so that they can soon receive treatment and reintegrate into the community.
It is understood that, after examination, for children who are fit enough, doctors from Operation Smile and doctors at Vinh International Hospital will carry out free surgery. For costs such as food, accommodation, travel and inpatient treatment, Vinh International Hospital has also committed to supporting patients’ families to the maximum extent.
This round of examinations and surgery is expected to last until 20 October. All parents in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh with children who have jaw and facial deformities can come for free examination and treatment.
Van Thanh – http://www.baogiaothong.vn/