Free surgeries to bring smiles for children with cleft lips, palates

A doctor gives check-up to a child under the cleft lip and palate surgery programme in Dak Lak province (Photo: VNA)

2020 is the sixth consecutive year the programme has been organised by Operation Smile Vietnam and the Dak Lak provincial Fund for Children.

The prorgamme, targeting Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Yen, is set to provide screening for 120 - 150 patients and give free surgeries and treatment for 80 - 100 of them.

Surgeries will be conducted at the Central Highlands General Hospital, based in Dak Lak, from December 19 to 22 by 50 voluntary doctors from nationwide.

Patients coming for screening and surgeries will also receive some financial aid covering their travel, food, and accommodation expenses.

Vice Chairwoman of the Dak Lak People’s Committee H’Yim Kdon, who is also head of the provincial Fund for Children’s patronage council, said there are currently 4,089 children with disabilities and fatal illnesses needing support in the province.

In the five years the programme was organised in Dak Lak, nearly 1,000 local children received operations at the total cost of over 5.5 billion VND (238,000 USD).

She thanked Operation Smile Vietnam and the voluntary doctors for this meaningful deed, adding that the programme is helpful in easing the burden on the poor and bringing smiles back to children.

On the programme’s sidelines, the Dak Lak Fund for Children and Operation Smile Vietnam will also give dental check-ups and treatment to 2,000 - 3,000 primary students in Buon Don district from December 21 to 25./.

VNA